

















. 



















































* 




















r 





LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 






RECOLLECTIONS 

OF 

TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS: 

LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY 

AND 

THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


BY 

MARY R. DARBY SMITH. 


ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT & 
1878 . 



CO. 


f-CT 

3 S3 


Copyright, 1878, by J. B. Lippincott & Co. 


Entered at Stationers’ Hall, London. 


> 


■>> > 



THE EDITION OE THIS WORK IS LIMITED TO 350 COPIES. 


TO THE 


RIGHT REVEREND FREDERICK D. HUNTINGTON, D.D., 

BISHOP OP CENTRAL NEW YORK, 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS FAITHFUL FRIENDSHIP FOR MORE 
THAN SEVENTEEN YEARS, AND WITH HIGH ESTEEM 
FOR HIS RARE CULTURE AND TRUE AND ZEAL- 
OUS CHRISTIAN CHARACTER, WHEREBY HE 
STANDS A SHINING LIGHT AMONG MEN, 

THIS LITTLE VOLUME, 

WITH HIS KIND PERMISSION, 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
BY MARY R. DARBY SMITH. 


3 








































■ 























Go, little booh , God send thee good passage , 
And specially let this be thy pray ere 
Unto them all that thee will read or hear , 
Where thou art wrong after their help to call , 
Thee to correct in any part or all. 

Chaucer. 


All hearts confess the saints elect 
Who , twain in faith , in love agree , 

And melt not in an add sect 
The Christian pearl of charity. 

Whittier’s Snow-Bound. 


ILLUSTRATIONS, 


PAGE 

La Marquise re Boissy Frontispiece. 

Le Marquis de Boissy 16 

Countess Guiccioli 22 

Lord Byron 26 

Countess Guiccioli (from the bust by Bartolini) . . .50 

Count de Waldeck 57 

The Second Day of the Imprisonment of Marie Antoinette . 76 

Silver Vase . 78 

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary 86 


FAC-SIMILES. 


Two Letters of La Marquise de Boissy . . . .52 

Notice of the Funeral of Count de Waldeck . . .84 

Letter of Count de Waldeck, in French . . . .80 

Letter of Count de Waldeck, in English . . . .90 


7 




MADAME LA MARQUISE I)E BOISSY. 


individuals of distinction are taken 
this world, it is proper, and often- 
5 instructive, to obtain some knowl- 
edge of their lives and characters. A long life offers 
many vicissitudes — occurrences take place which de- 
velop various phases as well as new manifestations 
of that life, and all grouped together form a portrait 
of the man whose history must always interest the 
thoughtful and intelligent. To judge a person by 
one act would be unfair and narrow. We might as 
well look at a fragment of a great structure and sup- 
pose we know the whole of it ! The searcher after 
truth must carefully investigate, and then regard 
and consider the balances, and so come to right con- 
clusions. How often is character misjudged. How 
often does one unhappy step — one error of judgment 
or act — condemn a fellow-being ; thus placing him at 
once in an erroneous position, and coloring his life 
with a false blazon. To rescue such a one from 
prejudice or passion is a duty. “ To be mute that 
the world may belie” is ignoble in the highest degree. 

9 




10 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


“ To damn with faint praise” the gifted and the good 
is equally contemptible; but the generous-hearted 
love to be just, and are ever ready to appreciate true 
merit, and to speak of it — knowing well that “ his 
praise is lost who stays till all commend.” 

It is a deplorable fact, and one very derogatory to 
human nature, that people seem disposed to believe 
evil rather than good of their fellows. Once let an 
ill opinion be formed of an individual, it becomes an 
idee fixe , proving the truth of Shakspeare’s words : 
“ Slander is for ever housed when once it gets posses- 
sion.” It is mournful to see with what pertinacity 
and with what uncharitableness such are pursued and 
denounced, and by whom ? — by those who are of the 
same great family of brotherhood called “ fallen 
man,” whom the blessed Jesus came to seek and to 
save, and the very best of whom are tinctured with 
imperfections, so that the following quotation by a 
gifted poet is stamped with truth, and must be 
acknowledged by all: 

“ In men whom men condemn as ill 
I see so much of goodness still, 

In men whom men pronounce divine 
I see so much of sin and blot, 

I hesitate to draw a line 
Between the two where God has not.” 

God forbid that I should say one word in defence of 
sin ; it is hateful in all its forms, from the “ uneradi- 
cable taint” to those graver and grosser crimes which 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSF. H 

shock the educated moral sense, and from which the 
purified and refined of heart shrink abashed. Only 
for sweet charity’s sake let us be willing to believe 
the best, and not be so wedded to preconceived impres- 
sions that we cannot change our opinions or hear the 
voice of defence when spoken in truth in behalf of 
one calumniated or misunderstood. Emerson says it 
is often wise to change one’s mind. He speaks se- 
verely of what he calls consistency — a wise man is 
open to conviction, and if he has reason to alter his 
views, has the moral courage to do so. But I did 
not mean to write a homily upon the divinity of 
virtue, the embodiment of which is in the form of 
Him who is “the chief among ten thousand and one 
altogether lovely,” and whose highest teaching was 
the law of charity. It is this that I invoke in the 
judgment of her of whom these reminiscences are 
written. 

Having had the happiness of an intimate ac- 
quaintance and friendship with Madame la Mar- 
quise de Boissy for several years, having had de- 
lightful opportunities of reading her character and 
seeing her in the privacy of her beautiful home-life, 
as well as in the courtly circles of the gay world 
which she received, and charmed by her winning 
graces of manner and kindness of heart, having been 
her oft-invited, oft-repeated guest, in private as well 
as in larger assemblies in Paris, also her happy 
visitant for some days at her charming villa near 
Florence, and during these hours and years witnessed 


12 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


the development of rare attractions of mind and 
heart, I feel it incumbent upon me to speak of her as 
I have found her, and relate the interesting circum- 
stances of our-meeting and our after-intercourse, and 
most sincere mutual friendship. 

It is the custom with many who hear words of 
commendation upon one no longer young to say, 
“Oh, but she is old,” or “He is old,” and then comes 
with the unthinking and the base the smile of indif- 
ference or contempt. Though no one admires more 
the freshness and charm of those short-lived halcyon 
days of youthful physical beauty, it is my opinion 
there is something better far than this — for, alas, in 
youth we too often discover a want of cultivation of 
heart, which, after all, is the highest possible educa- 
tion an immortal spirit may receive. La jeunesse est 
cruelle is a French maxim with too much truth in it. 
To me there is nothing more interesting than a 
refined, enlightened, and amiable old age — one sits 
reverently in the society of such — a tenderness mixed 
with esteem is felt when one is permitted to meet, as 
is occasionally the case, with these educated and 
kindly souls, who have gone through life and been 
improved and educated by it, and come out as gold 
purified by the ordeal, and not sullied by it, as, alas, 
we too often see. There are such spirits, and such I 
believe was that of Madame la Marquise de Boissy, 
more widely but not better known as the Countess 
Guiccioli. And now, before relating many of the 
interesting particulars of her and of her sweet daily 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 13 


life, from the commencement of my knowledge of 
her, I must be permitted to say that it is a pain for 
me to have heard her spoken of in connection with 
Lord Byron, as I too often have. I have heard the 
opinions of some distinguished persons who have 
known her long, and who believe with me that 
though she regarded Lord Byron with the profound- 
est devotion the human breast can know, though as 
she once feelingly said to me, “ We would have mar- 
ried if we could,” yet she was always under the pro- 
tection of her father and her brother, who themselves 
loved the great poet with a surpassing affection. It 
was at her Italian home she once read to me some 
verses composed by her father in honor of Lord 
Byron. They were replete with a friendship that 
vice could never have engendered, they were full of 
praises for the matchless genius and the enthralling 
fascination of a heart capable of all high thought 
and noble action. The true love that had been de- 
veloped in him by this lovely young creature, so 
recently out of a convent, and who in a foreign 
fashion had been married to a bon parti before she 
knew what love was. So young — so innocent — a 
very child — but very superior and highly instructed, 
and devoted to books and study, as she told me. 
This being, it was reserved, should and did awaken 
in the immortal bard the deepest, most intense, and 
truest love he had ever felt, leaving “ his heart open 
to angel visits that repelled the ministry of ill” 
within him — making him a better man, and if they 


14 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


could have married all would have been well — but, 
alas! a grave mistake had been made by them both. 
It is not for me to enter into a matter that delicacy 
and charity alike forbid me to more than touch upon. 
No one has a greater reverence for a true marriage — 
it is a divine tie when made as marriage is com- 
manded to be, “ in the Lord;” it is a high, pure 
thing, which the Roman Catholics believe is a sacra- 
ment, and has a meaning sacred, and, as Bulwer 
says, “ There are hearts to feel there is no bond on 
earth so tender and so sublime,” but there are few. 
I firmly believe the feelings of Lord Byron and the 
Countess Guiccioli were of this description, but there 
were impediments to the consummation devoutly to 
be wished. The young victim of an ill-assorted 
marriage and the unhappy Childe could not marry 
though they loved. Yet, I reiterate, she was always 
under the protection of her father and her brother, 
and because they could not marry, Lord Byron went 
to Greece, attended by this brother ; they went hand 
in hand to espouse the cause of the oppressed, and 
there “ the wanderer” died, and on his neck after- 
wards was found a chain made of her hair, and a 
locket, which she did not know he possessed, with 
her initials and her picture, if I remember aright. 
Madame de Boissy showed me this with many other 
relics I shall speak of hereafter. The chain was 
sent to the Marquise by Mrs. Leigh, the beloved 
sister of the poet. 

To show the true homage and respect Byron had 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. J5 

for this lady, I will here mention that before his de- 
parture for Greece he presented her with all his man- 
uscripts — those splendid ebullitions of his surpassing 
genius, those spontaneous and eloquent poems that 
are so thrilling and engrossing that one might say of 
him, as was said by Milton of nature’s great min- 
strel, “ He makes us marble with too much conceiv- 
ing.” All these products of his prolific brain were 
laid at her feet for acceptance. What greater proof 
can be given of his entire regard for and faith in 
her? — and they were cherished by her as such treas- 
ures should be. A large and handsome mahogany 
casket contained them under lock and key. These, 
on one of the memorable and happy evenings passed 
in her society, she showed me. I handled and read 
them — some on scraps of paper, loose and frag- 
mentary ; but all there to be given, as she told me, 
to the three libraries in Europe, where she believed 
they would be properly and satisfactorily bestowed. 
They were to be divided between, the libraries of 
London, Paris, and Florence, which I suppose in 
due time, agreeably to her directions, will be done. 
She related to me that, when she was in extreme 
grief, a gentleman, I think, of Florence, was, on 
some occasion, of immense service to her. In grate- 
ful feeling she offered to him the choice of Byron’s 
autographic poems. The sagacious gentleman se- 
lected “ Childe Harold.” Many years had passed, 
but it was an everlasting matter of regret to her that 
she had been led to part with this peerless poem. 


16 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


given at a time when the spirit of calculation was 
dead, and only sorrow lived. Years passed, and 
the Countess Guiccioli became the honored wife of 
the Marquis de Boissy, who was of an ancient and 
noble family — a peer of France, and afterwards a 
senator — a man of immense fortune, and of a loyal 
and intense character. For twenty years was she 
the adored wife of this eminent man, for whom she 
confessed she felt the deepest regard and friendship. 
She once said to me, " I had the most perfect love 
for Lord Byron — the most perfect friendship for the 
Marquis de Boissy — so that in heaven I should be 
unhappy without them both ; they are together now, 
and^are the best of friends, and I shall be with them 
ere long.” 

She gives, in a volume I may speak of hereafter, 
the most graphic and touching account of the last 
days of her esteemed husband. They prove that he 
was, as she says, un vrai Chretien, a man of very ex- 
alted and generous character, and from her descrip- 
tion his last moments were not only beautiful, from 
his heroic resignation and divine spirit and faith, but 
very instructive, as his example was noble and ani- 
mating in a high degree to the appreciative mind. 
I would earnestly recommend the narrative to those 
who love the records of the great and good departed. 

A few days before he died — she writes that he 
called her and said, “ I have a request to make to 
you ; but do not alarm yourself, for you see I am 
getting better, but I should like you to promise me 

















- 

' 





















LE MARQUIS DE BOISSY. 








MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 17 

that you will be interred with me in the vault of my 
family at Manancourt,* by my side, when you shall 
be called hence, for,” said he, “ without this promise, 
I will not be laid there myself.” “ He feared, per- 
haps,” she added, “ that my family in Italy would 
dispose otherwise of my poor mortal remains.” She 
adds, “I gave him this promise, but one can imagine 
with what emotion ;” so that in death as in life she 
was not to be removed from him. 

From all that I can gather, the love of the Mar- 
quis de Boissy for her was one that “ made breath 
poor and speech unable his devotion was shown by 
his acts, and I believe the secret of her winning the 
entire love of those who knew her intimately was 
the high, pure gift of an honest, good, warm heart, 
united with great refinement and tenderness — it was 
such a heart as “out of which come the issues of 
life ;” it was this that deepened and intensified the 
homage of Lord Byron for her. His highly wrought, 
highly strung, and deeply romantic soul needed this 
river of life, as it were, to fructify and hallow his 
passionate yearnings ; it was this heart that was as 
a pillow to his soul — it was just what he needed. 
Coldness and unkindness to him were as sparks to a 
mine already laid. Ah ! if he could have married 
her, her sweet influence would have been like the 
harp of the Psalmist, at “ whose harmonious touch 
the evil one did flee away.” Her unswerving devo- 


Manancourt was a grand old family estate of the Marquis. 
2 * 


18 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


tion would have appealed to his impassioned soul, 
and all its wealth would have belonged to her — he 
would have been soothed and blest, and rays of pure 
light from his enfranchised genius would have illu- 
mined the world — as now his meteoric showers of 
eloquence captivate and enthrall. But it might not 
be. It is not here on this afflicted earth that crooked 
things are to be made straight. Our eyes must turn 
from “ gazing on the ground with thoughts which 
dare not glow” to the high heavens — to the Bock 
hewn for us — to the throne of grace and mercy, and 
there find submission and hope. 

Madame de Boissy was a Spiritist. I dislike the 
spirit of criticism. “ Many men of many minds.” I 
believe myself in all things, but strive to hold fast 
to that which is true and good; but I have lived 
long enough, and seen enough of human nature, to 
have charity for those who differ from me in opinion. 
I know there are many upright, intelligent persons 
who believe in Spiritism. I hear what they say — 
I have investigated somewhat into it. There are 
curious manifestations, singular phenomena, but I do 
not embrace the subject. I believe there is no better 
teaching, no higher knowledge that we can hear and 
obtain, than that given by our Lord Jesus Christ. 
But when persons of integrity and high character 
assert that such and such has been their experience, 
can one insult them by doubting their word? There- 
fore, when Madame de Boissy related her revelations 
and consolations from this mysterious source, I lis- 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 19 

tened — I could not refuse all credence to wliat she 
said. She was happy in her belief, whilst loving 
God and the Evangels, in whom she reposed faith. 
She told me she had “prayed so much for Lord 
Byron that he had become elevated to an exalted 
state in heaven.” Homan Catholics believe that 
prayers for the dead are heard, and Madame de 
Boissy was born a Catholic. At the same time she 
was no bigot, and she has confessed to me she thought 
the Church needed purification. 

But I have been for the most part making com- 
ments on this dear departed lady. It is interesting 
for me to remember our first meeting, and then the 
ripening of a charming acquaintance into the most 
congenial and faithful friendship, and the pleasing 
incidents connected therewith ; and as I desire her 
to be known as she really was within the past few 
years, I cannot do better than describe her from the 
commencement of my knowledge of her. Our first 
meeting, and then our last. 

I was at an evening party in Paris, at Mrs. M 

G . This brilliant lady, wife of a former dis- 

tinguished member of Parliament, gathers about her, 
wherever she is, the elite of society, with whom she 
is a great favorite. Between her and Madame la 
Marquise de Boissy there was the most cordial friend- 
ship. I was at this party a comparative stranger. 
The wife of the then American Minister, Mrs. Gen- 
eral D , was there, and said to me, “ Do you know 

the lady on the sofa near you is Madame de Boissy, 


20 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


the Guiccioli of Lord Byron ?” I turned to look 
at her, and saw a striking-looking elegant woman ; 
she appeared in her evening toilette a well-preserved 
person of between fifty and sixty years of age. 
Though no longer young, there was the look of stead- 
fast beauty that could not but abide with her. Her 
still beautiful hair hung in rich yet delicate ringlets 
on either side of a face fair, very fair, and with pa- 
trician features ; her neck and shoulders had an ivory 
whiteness; a calm and gentle dignity was in her 
mien. Much interested in her appearance, I asked 
to be presented to her, and was so. I at once said, 
u Madame, I am so happy to have the pleasure of 
meeting one whose friendship for Lord Byron has 
been so sincere. He was, I think, the king of poets.” 
With a graceful inclination of the head, in a sweet, 
clear voice, in perfect English, she replied, “ He was 
the king of men.” The ice once broken, we spoke 
as persons of congenial tastes ; in fact, we were sym- 
pathetic. I felt it forcibly. Then came courteous 
questions as to my whereabouts; the length of 
time I intended remaining in Paris ; kindly invita- 
tions to visit her. u I receive on the mornings of 
every Wednesday from one till five, and on Mondays 
I have evening receptions. I hope you will come to 
both. I shall have much pleasure in calling upon 
you, and improving your acquaintance, and then we 
must have a tUe-H-ttte dinner, and we shall know 
each other better.” I was charmed by her gracious- 
ness and lovely appearance — lovely still, though 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 21 

numbering so many summers. It was a rich pleasure, 
and she became a joy to me, as she seemed to open her 
heart and take me in, till I was no longer a stranger 
but a friend. She occupied a hotel — as they say in 
France — in the Cite de Londres, Rue St.-Lazare. 
Though the situation was not handsome, it was an 
elegant abode, and the rear of the house contained 
a fine garden and lofty trees, and a plashing fountain 
played and murmured therein as in the stillness of 
the country. The residence had three stories; the 
lower one was for the grand monde , spacious, lofty, 
and elegant, a superb suite of rooms terminated by 
a dining-room, which was on a magnificent scale. 
The walls were hung with crimson satin damask, 
and adorned by large Venetian mirrors, glitter- 
ing like diamonds in contrast with the rich color 
of the hangings. A large plate-glass window re- 
vealed the suite of rooms where the guests were 
assembled. The music-room adjoined the salle-d- 
manger , and here she would gather artists or persons 
skilled in harmonies, and how often have I listened 
to the song or to the brilliant execution of some of 
these with a delight that music yields in all her 
varied measures! At these reunions the Marquise 
would pass from one and another with a graceful 
and kindly urbanity peculiar to herself — she the 
very star of these pleasant evenings, always in an 
elegant toilette, not extravagant, but recherch&e. One 
evening I noticed her standing in close proximity 
to a fine oil-painting of herself by a distinguished 


22 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


artist in New York.* The resemblance was very- 
striking, and the beauty depicted in that portrait is 
not at all exaggerated. 

But the visit of all others that has made the most 
striking impression upon me was the first ttte-ti-Ute 
dinner that we had together, and the remainder of 
that evening wherein so much was developed and 
related to me of Lord Byron, that her confidence in 
me, and my quick sympathy, gave an inviolable 
seal to our intercourse and friendship, which even 
death, I trust, has not shaken or destroyed. She 
always said, smilingly, “You will be with us in 
heaven.” This first visit I describe in all simplicity 
and truth, without polish or amendment; it needs 
neither to increase its interest. She related to me 
her first meeting with Lord Byron. It was at an 
evening party at Bavenna. Count Guiccioli desired 
her to go to a grand soiree given by a person of dis- 
tinction there. She did not wish to go, but upon his 
entreating her to do so, she said, “ Well, to please 
you, I will go for a quarter of an hour.” They went ; 
and she told me as she entered the room, happening 
to glance in a certain direction, she saw what seemed 
to be a beautiful apparition, half reclining on a sofa. 
It was Lord Byron, whose fame of course had reached 
her, but whom she had never seen before. The lady 
of the house went to the noble poet, and said, “ Shall 
I present you to this lovely young bride ?” — for she 


* Monsieur Fagnani, since deceased. 











. 

' 







COUNTESS GUICCIOLI. 


















* 

♦ 































* 






















































* 
















* 










■» 








* 










MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 23 

was little more — and he replied, “ No, I cannot know 
her, she is too beautiful.” “ Oh, but you must be 
introduced to her ; every one is ; she is the person to 
be known among us now;” and accordingly he was 
brought to her, and the presentation took place. She 
said, “I was better instructed than most Italian 
girls, and immediately we were discussing the Italian 
poets, Dante, and Petrarch, and Boccaccio, etc. We 
had an animated conversation. 'An hour passed, and 
Count Guiccioli came to me, saying, ‘ Your quarter 
of an hour has passed rapidly, I perceive/ At part- 
ing, Lord Byron wrote something on a scrap of paper, 
and handed it to me.” Then came visits from him. 
Count Guiccioli paid him a good deal of attention, 
and they were thrown much together. Once she 
told me of a journey she took when she went in her 
own carriage accompanied by her servants, travelling 
in grand style. Lord Byron, attended by his servant, 
followed her on horseback. Now and then he would 
join her, and at a halting-place she would alight from 
her carriage at some beautiful point, where an im- 
posing and “ living landscape” was to be seen ; and 
together in that “ Fair Italy, the garden of the 
world,” the two would walk on, whilst the heavens 
and the earth seemed aglow with a “ brilliant celes- 
tial light,” and their feelings exalted in the highest 
degree by the full sense of beauty, and the delight 
of a soul-stirring intercourse, such as few could give 
or receive. Their cup of joy was full. “We spoke 
little,” she said to me ; but ah ! they felt what they 


24 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


u could ne’er express, yet could not all conceal.” And 
so in that terrestrial paradise a sentiment grew and 
was established that could have no happy result in 
this world, and has caused wretched gossip, vile sus- 
picions, which, from what I have known and heard 
of this lady from intimate sources, have caused mis- 
judgments and misconceptions of which she is most 
unworthy. 

I had then only seen her in the presence of others, 
of a gay and worldly throng, but here she received 
me on another footing, in the privacy of her home- 
life, in a suite of rooms reserved exclusively for her- 
self and those of her friends she chose to admit. 
These rooms were the embodiment of a comfortable 
and luxurious dwelling. They were in the form of 
a cross. There was the salle-d-manger, opening into 
the library adjoining, which was a charming terrace, 
enclosed by glass. Here were birds and flowers, of 
which she was so fond. This terrace overlooked the 
garden, and here we took coffee after dinner, often 
only lighted by the bright lady of heaven, — the 
shining moon; and here in converse pleasant and 
racy we used to sit, and could have imagined our- 
selves hundreds of miles away from gay and tumult- 
uous Paris. One evening we sat there very late, 
and the fountain, whose sweet minstrelsy had min- 
gled with our talk, suddenly ceased. “ Ah!” I said, 
“ the fountain has stopped playing.” She rang the 
bell instantly, and said, “ Tell the coachman not to 
stop off the water,” and again the pleasing sound 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 25 

was heard. On the right of the library was her 
bedroom, a large chamber with a huge old-fashioned 
bedstead, the tapestried curtains of which had been 
given by Louis XIV. to an ancestor of the Marquis 
de Boissy ; on the left, her salon or drawing-room : 
and these three rooms formed the cross, the library 
being the centre, the dining-room and terrace on one 
side, the salon and chambre-d-coucher on the other. 
But I wander from the description of this memora- 
ble evening. 

Our dinner was worthy of the hospitable and cour- 
teous hostess. Everything was in perfect taste. In 
front of her was a superb silver vase, supported, on 
a pedestal, by silver angels, the wrought work of 
which was so fine that Benvenuto Cellini might 
have envied the artist who made them. The vase 
was filled with violets — the angels seemed to be 
offering sweet incense upon the passing hour. She 
told me she was said to have the best cook in 
Paris ; he had been with her twelve years. Her men- 
servants performed their duties to perfection ; and 
after a refreshing meal we walked to the terrace to 
take coffee. Before leaving the table I asked for a 
few violets as a souvenir . With vivid pleasure her 
hand strayed among them, and she handed me five 
bouquets of this pet flower, whose fragrance the world 
loves, and this mammoth vase was filled with bunches 
of them, as if put there to be sent abroad, to scatter 
sweetness on the air. It proved to be a lovely night ; 
the moon shone brilliantly in upon us. If we be- 


26 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


came silent, which — although we had much to say — 
we now and then did, the very birds seemed to re- 
joice, and think it was not night, and we listened to 
them instead of to each other. She had been talking 
of spiritism, as well as of Lord Byron. She had 
told me that when writing of him in the book she 
has since published, if she was in doubt about a 
matter or a date, she would appeal to him from the 
Spirit Land and be satisfactorily answered ; and so 
with reference to the Marquis de Boissy : her ques- 
tions to him were always answered promptly, she 
said, and to her entire enlightenment. She told me 
she had volumes of communications from these dear 
friends, who, though lost to sight, she yet believed 
near her, and that they consoled and strengthened 
her. These books she showed me. “ Shall we go 
to the salon f’ I asked, “and will you speak with 
Lord Byron to-night?” “We will try,” she replied, 
as she rose and left with me the almost enchanting 
terrace, lit by the moon and stars. But before this 
stance she absented herself a few moments, and re- 
turned with a handsome, elaborately wrought steel 
box, with lock and key. “ I thought,” she said, 
“ it would gratify you to see these relics connected 
with Lord Byron.” “Oh!” I replied, “more than 
words can tell.” She unlocked the box, and first of 
all showed me the chain and medallion taken from 
his neck after his death, and sent to her by his sister ; 
then various portraits taken of him, one surpass- 
ingly beautiful, and, she said, more like him than 


k 








































LORD BYRON, 
At the age of 30. 















































































- 




MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 27 

any other (a photograph of this picture is given here) ; 
two or three taken with her, and one of these I liked 
exceedingly. Among other things she handed me 
a volume of Corinne that he had picked up one day 
when he called to see her and found her absent, in 
which, on a blank page, he poured forth to her the 
devotion of his soul. There was a handkerchief he 
had dropped at parting — that parting that proved to 
be for ever in this world — when he left for Greece, 
wet with his tears ; for six weeks she told me she 
was never without it — their weeping eyes had hal- 
lowed it, and henceforth it was a regarded thing. 
Other relics were in the basket, and after we had 
looked at them with sad and serious eyes, the box 
was closed and put in its shrine in her chamber. 

She then returned and devoted herself to the ac- 
complishment of my wish, to obtain a communication 
from Lord Byron. I shall never forget the scene 
that followed. She took down one of the large 
square pamphlet-shaped books with a crimson cover. 
She opened it, bent her fine classic head over her 
clasped hands, and was in prayer. Then she sat 
silent for a moment, and looking up, said, “ He will 
speak with us.” She then made the sign of the 
cross on the paper at the head of the dialogue that 
was to ensue. She asked him relative to me, and 
his answer came, and then I ventured to ask some 
questions through her mediumship. She was called 
a writing medium. The answers came like magic, 
and were written down with the utmost rapidity and 


28 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


facility. They were so interesting to me, I remarked 
at the conclusion, I should like to have them. With 
her accustomed kindness, she at once said, “ I will 
copy them for you,” which shq did in French ; and 
here they are precisely as she wrote them for me, or 
at least as much of them as I think proper to extract 
from a little book which I have, and which I shall 
ever value as a souvenir of her good nature, and of 
that pleasant and remarkable evening. 

The following answer came to a question put by 
her to Lord Byron : 

Paris, 20 Mars, 1868. 

Beponse. — Oui, je vous vois avec une tres-excellente femme, 
qui me comprend plus que mes compatriotes ne m’ont jamais 
compris. Dites-lui que je l’aime, et que je suis heureux de la 
voir aupres de toi, ma bonne Therese.* 

This series of questions and answers contains much 
that I prefer not repeating;- but what I do give is 
the exact copy of her words. 

Beponses atjx Demandes. 

Demande. — Vous verrai-je ? 

Beponse. — Oui, vous serez, un jour, dans notre ciel. 

Demande. — Trouverai-je dans le ciel celui que je puisse 
aimer? 

Beponse. — Mais cela ne m’est pas donne de dire. Ce sont 
des mysteres dont Dieu ne nous revele pas le secret. Cepen- 
dant, je crois qu’ayant un grand cceur comme vous avez, vous 
trouverez le contentement dans le ciel, ce qu’il vous manque 
sur la terre, car vous n’avez pu trouver un coeur digne de vous 
comprendre. 


* The first name of the Marquise. 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSF. 29 


Demande. — Elle desire partir pour l’Amerique. Quels con- 
seils lui donnez-vous ? 

Beponse. — Oui, je lui donne le conseil de trainer encore un 
peu — afin que l’Amerique en lui ecrive — des choses plus posi- 
tives sur ces affaires. Alors elle pourra meme, sans me con- 
suiter, prendre son parti sans craindre de se tromper. 

Demande. — N’avez-vous rien d’autre a lui dire? 

Beponse. — Oui, je puis lui dire que tout ce qu’elle fera sera 
toujours digne d’un coeur honnete et genereux. Cependant, 
elle doit marcher dans la voie de la justice et de la religion, 
car c’est dans cette voie seulement que l’on peut trouver le 
repos sur la terre, et le bonheur dans l’etcrnite. 

Demande. — Avez-vous autre chose a lui dire? 

Beponse. — Mais non, si ce n’est que je prierai toujours pour 
elle le bon Dieu afin qu’il lui donne le repos sur la terre, et le 
bonheur dans l’eternite. 

Paris, 27 Mars, dix heures du soir. 

Questions apres le Depart de M. B. D. S. 

Demande. — Yeux-tu me dire toute ta pensee sur elle? 

Beponse. — Oui, elle est la bonte meme, mais trop enthou- 
siaste en toute chose ; ce qui fait qu’elle a gate sa vie, et n’a 
jamais pu se marier, car jamais elle n’a pu comprendre les 
autres, ni etre comprise. 

* ******** 
Maintenant tu es son idole. Son enthousiasme pour moi est 
redouble depuis qu’elle t’a connue. Elle a une belle intelli- 
gence, mais elle la suffoque sur les prejuges religieux. 

********* 

Sa conscience est tout ce qu’il y a de plus pur sur la terre. 
Elle sera un des anges de notre ciel lorsqu’elle mourra, et elle 
aura bien peu a expier. Elle a passe sur la terre sans sesalir. 

Paris, 27 Mars, 1868. 

This (by her accredited) conversation with Lord 
Byron I have written verbatim, omitting only what 

3 * 


30 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


appeared to me obligatory on my part. As it be- 
longed to her and is a part of her, it is not without 
interest. 

Whilst speaking of spiritism, I cannot but remem- 
ber her account of what she termed an apparition 
which appeared to her in June, 1870. She related 
it to me the day after it took place. She said she 
was lying in bed rather later than usual, when she 
saw her maid, Annette, come into her chamber hold- 
ing up the corners of her apron, which was a red one, 
and she spoke to her, saying, “ Annette, I am very 
lazy this morning, but prepare my things and I will 
get up.” She was surprised to hear no answer, and 
thought she had gone out on the terrace to feed the 
birds ; but, moving the curtains to ascertain the fact, 
she was astonished to find the window closed and 
Annette not there. She rang the bell instantly, and 
said, “ How is this, Annette ?” as her maid appeared. 
“ I saw you just now enter the room, and I spoke 
to you, and you made me no answer.” “Oh, no, 
Madame,” she replied ; “ I have not been here before 
to-day !” “ Is it possible ?” she said ; “ then I have 

had an apparition. I must evoke the spirit of the 
Marquis de Boissy and ask an explanation,” which, 
as soon as she was dressed, she did. The answer 
was, “ Yes, I sent you this visitant in the form of 
Annette, that you might not be frightened, and now 
1 wish you and your household to be vaccinated at 
once.” The small-pox was then bad in Paris, but 
she had scarce given it a thought; yet, relying im- 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE B01SSF. 31 


plicitly on this injunction, she sent promptly for her 
physician, and she and some of her servants were 
vaccinated. At this very time her maitre-d’hotel 
was very ill in an upper chamber, and on the return 
of the doctor from visiting him, she asked, “ How 
is the poor fellow?” “Very ill, Madame,” was 
the reply ; “ it is quite necessary he should be re- 
moved to the hospital.” “Oh, no,” replied the 
Marquise, “ he will be well attended to here ; he shall 
have all the care possible. Annette will prepare his 
bouillon herself, and the men-servants will take good 
care of him — he shall have all he wants.” “But, 
Madame,” the physician said, “ I must insist upon 
it — he needs the sort of service he can only receive 
in a hospital.” She yielded reluctantly to this, 
without at all knowing his malady, and when she 
went out to drive, the poor man was removed to 
the hospital, and in eight days was dead of the 
small-pox. This was a singular circumstance, and 
Madame de Boissy fully believed it was this reve- 
lation that saved her and her household from this 
frightful disease. I am not called upon in giving 
this relation to give my own opinion of this inci- 
dent. I have already stated my views, and that I do 
not embrace spiritism ; but as we have on record, in 
both profane and sacred history, marvellous dreams 
and apparitions and stories of second-sight, and 
as there are “ more things in heaven and earth 
than are dreamed of in our philosophy,” I do not 
cavil with this dear lady because of her vision, 


32 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


which she saw or dreamt she saw, and there I 
leave it. 

Sir Walter Scott, in his “ Demonology and Witch- 
craft, has related similar peculiar incidents, and 
given marvellous reports of supernatural visitations 
and unearthly sights and sounds, which no logic can 
reasonably explain, and which leave the mind be- 
wildered or affrighted, warned or consoled, according 
as the revelation or manifestations are accredited. 

Madame de Boissy had deep religious feelings. 
Often has she told me of the love she had for the 
Evangelists, and all they related of the Saviour of 
men ; yet was she liberal as a Catholic, and had views 
of her own, which, with the Ultramontanes, might 
have been thought unsound. 

She used to say to me, “ I am not worldly. I do 
not love the world, though from my position I must 
mingle in it and do my part.” What she has revealed 
of herself in her home-life is what has pleased me 
best. How industrious she was on those quiet even- 
ings, of which we had so many ! Whilst talking with 
an abandon that became her, her hands were almost 
always busy. She would be working with worsted, 
winding skeins of silk or wool, making allumettes , 
dipping her fingers so daintily in a pretty little vase 
by her side and rolling them up with a celerity few 
could excel. 

At her large parties she thought of all, and divided 
her attentions so that no one should feel neglected. 
What kindness she invariably showed me as a stran- 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 33 

ger ! Knowing I did not speak French with facility, 
and was timid about it, if she saw me sitting alone 
she would beckon me to her, sometimes lay her hand 
on mine and leave it there, whilst being surrounded 
by crowds of admiring friends, or by those who 
came to pay their respect to her, for she was much 
courted, and by the highest in the land, and English 
people also showed their warm regard for her. I 
have seen an English gentleman of high rank, and 
one of the most conservative of men, take her hand 
and bend over it as if he were addressing a divinity. 

To me she gave honor such as I did not merit. 
At one of her grand dinners, where I was invited 
to meet some very distinguished people, I had been 
delayed, owing to the difficulty of getting a voiture , 

and arrived late. There w r ere the Duchess of 

the Baroness B , and others of high rank ; yet I 

was the first to be taken in to dinner by one of the 
Emperor’s chamberlains, a peer of France, and a 
person otherwise remarkable, as his breast was 
covered with decorations. I mention this for one 
reason only — to show the consideration she manifested 
to me before others, and naturally I was not insensi- 
ble to it, for I was alone in Paris and with no name 
of high report to win the world’s honor ; therefore 
it evinces her amiability and lovely nature, and at 
this very dinner I overheard her speak of me as only 
the honest and good at heart speak of their friends. 
A debt of gratitude as well as justice I owe her, and 
it is my pleasure as w 7 ell as my duty to speak of her 


34 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


as I believe she merits. She constantly called to take 
me to drive with her in the Bois de Boulogne, and 
unlike the gay world, who went in streams, as it 
were, following the beaten track of fashion, driving 
to see and be seen, she invariably chose the more 
retired part of the Bois, and then, when out of the 
reach of these crowds of loiterers, we would leave 
the carriage and have a quiet promenade & pied under 
the leafy trees, and oftentimes ’neath a “sky so 
cloudless, clear, and purely beautiful, that God alone 
was to be seen in heaven.” I used to delight her 
by frequent recitations from the poems of Lord 
Byron. How she enjoyed those rambles ! Taking 
my arm, at times stopping and looking up she would 
exclaim, “ How refreshing, how lovely is nature !” 
I have seen her thus with a countenance so beaming 
and bright, that under her light veil one would have 
pronounced her face that of a handsome woman of 
not more than forty years of age. Sometimes I left 
her to gather wild flowers, of which we were both 
so fond, and she would await my return with a 
pleased expectancy. Now and then we met children 
— these seemed to interest her much — she had a 
ready admiration for their childish games and merry 
gambols’, for their fun and frolic. The experienced 
woman of the world showed that its false spirit had 
not spoiled her. I always observed nature had far 
more charms for her than art. Numberless were 
these drives and walks with her. I recollect them 
with great pleasure, for although she was much my 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSV. 35 

senior, her society and her sweet company gave a zest 
to them such as few could have conferred. There 
was nothing trite or commonplace about her, or her 
appearance, and age had not robbed her of her at- 
tractions — there was intrinsic worth there, and grace 
and culture, and time’s defacing fingers could not and 
never did steal them from her. Sometimes dining 
with her at her accustomed hour, half-past seven, she 
would order her carriage and drive with me on my 
return to my apartments in the Avenue de l’lmpera- 
trice, enjoying with me the brilliant Champs Elys6es 
and the fresh air. 

Usually, when I did not go with her during the day 
to the Bois de Boulogne, she would stop on her return, 
make kind inquiries after me, and send me a bouquet 
of wild flowers by her servant : in fact, scarcely a 
day passed without her showing me some courtesy. 
I had an appartement au troisieme , they called it, but 
it was in fact au quatri&me. Once her groom was 
ill, and as the coachman could not leave his horses 
she mounted herself those high and tedious stairs to 
ask me to accompany her in her drive. All these 
evidences of her good heart it is a pleasure for me to 
remember and relate. 

Now and then we would go to concerts together — 
she was a patroness of music, and numbered many 
artists among her friends. 

As the summer advanced, changes came. She 
proposed to leave Paris for her Italian villa near 
Florence. 


36 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


The Marquis de Boissy bequeathed her this place, 
also a superb country residence called Luciennes, near 
Versailles. 

I cannot forbear introducing here a very interest- 
ing historical account of Luciennes, sent me by Dr. 
R. Shelton Mackenzie, after reading my article 
upon Madame de Boissy. My dear friend had often 
talked to me of Luciennes, and wished me to see it; 
and we were to have gone to pass a day there to- 
gether. But the excitement and worry resulting 
from the war put aside the pleasant project ; besides^ 
she frankly confessed to me that it was a pain for 
her to visit this magnificent place, for it was at 
Luciennes the Marquis de Boissy died. And she 
told me that she had never passed a night there 
since, though visiting it occasionally, as duty de- 
manded. 

Dr. Mackenzie’s account, which he was so good 
as to give me, I have asked permission to insert in 
my little history of the Marquise, and he most will- 
ingly consented. Therefore I have much pleasure 
in introducing it, as it adds interest to one of her 
delightful homes, and shows the surroundings which 
the generous and princely Marquis placed about his 
beloved wife: 

“ Luciennes, a handsome pavilion on the brow of 
the hill of Marly, half-way between Versailles and 
St.-Germain-en-Laye, was presented by Louis XV. 
to Madame Dubarry, shortly before the arrival in 
France of Marie Antoinette of Austria, which was 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSF. 37 

immediately followed by the marriage of that Prin- 
cess, in May, 1770, to the Dauphin, afterwards the 
unfortunate Louis XVI. At that time there was a 
Chateau de Marly (destroyed during the first French 
Revolution), belonging to the King, little inferior 
in splendor to Versailles itself, and a favorite resi- 
dence of his Majesty, because a less strict etiquette 
had been recognized there. In its immediate vicinity 
was Luciennes, which, under the circumstances, was 
convenient for the monarch and his fair friend. In 
a letter from Madame Dubarry to a confidante she 
said of the King, ‘ Among other marks of his favor, 
he bestowed upon me the splendid pavilion de Lu- 
ciennes, sold by the Due de Penthievre, after the 
death of his son, the Prince de Lamballe. You 
know this charming spot, which both nature and art 
have so liberally contributed to adorn. I have con- 
verted it into the most perfect and delightful habita- 
tion in which a mortal could desire to end her days/ 
“ Here Dubarry lived in an almost royal manner, 
with the King as a very frequent visitor, solacing 
herself, in his absence, with Darine, a favorite white- 
and-tan poodle, Henriette, her trusty confidante, and 
Zamor, a diminutive African, who, at her request, 
was appointed, by regular commission under the 
royal seal and sign-manual, Governor of Luciennes, 
with an annual salary of one thousand livres. It was 
Zamor’s treachery that, in 1793, betrayed Dubarry 
to the scaffold, on which, soon after, his own life was 
rendered up. There was an intermittent rivalry 
4 


38 TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 

between Marie Antoinette and Dubarry during the 
last four years of the King’s life. 

“ Writing to her mother, at Vienna, soon after this 
contest began, Marie Antoinette said, ‘It is pitiable 
to see his weakness for Madame Dubarry, who is the 
silliest and most impertinent creature that it is pos- 
sible to conceive/ Maria Theresa, who had conde- 
scended to write to Madame de Pompadour, affec- 
tionately addressing her as ‘ My friend and dear 
sister/ advised her daughter to conciliate Dubarry, 
but Marie Antoinette refused to humble herself 
so far. On the King’s death, in May, 1774, the 
favorite was ordered to retire to the abbey of Pont 
aux Dames, near Meaux, not far from Paris, but was 
soon permitted to return to Luciennes, where, having 
obtained a pension from the Crown, she continued to 
live for some years. Here she was visited by the 
Emperor Joseph II. of Germany, and a little later 
by Dr. Benjamin Franklin, the illustrious American. 
Finally, she sold Luciennes to the Due d’Orleans 
(Egalite), and retreated to England. On her return 
to Paris she was found guilty of being ‘suspected,’ 
and was guillotined in December, 1793. It is esti- 
mated that Dubarry, whom Marie Antoinette always 
spoke and wrote of as ‘ that creature,’ cost France, 
during the few years she was a royal favorite, the 
gross sum of twenty-five million francs, or equal to 
seven million dollars of our money. Thus dear 
was she to France! Luciennes finally became the 
property of the late Marquis de Boissy.” 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 39 

This place the Marquise, after the death of her 
husband, only visited occasionally, and never to 
pass a night. Her visits there, she told me, were 
always fraught with sadness, for there her husband 
died, for whom she had the most respectful and 
devoted regard, which he must have merited, from 
all I have heard of him, despite some eccentricities. 
Madame de Boissy has written a very interesting 
and eulogistic letter upon the character and life 
of the Marquis to Monsieur le Vicomte d’Yzarn- 
Freissinet, author of a memoir of the Marquis, 
published in Paris in the year 1870. This letter 
will richly repay a perusal. One evening in Paris, 
having just received the proof-sheets of this tribute, 
she asked me if I would read the last four pages 
of it. As I did so I saw the tears coursing down 
her cheeks in fond recollection of her lost and 
honored husband, of whose exalted and generous 
character she frequently spoke to me. I regret that 
time and space will not permit me to quote a few 
passages of it, as the words are by herself, and prove 
how blest she was, and how grateful for this blessing, 
for the devotion of so noble a heart was a blessing — 
one, too, which she received when she was no longer 
young, so that her latter days were comforted and 
enriched as few can boast; but Heaven was the dis- 
penser after all her poor torn heart had suffered. 

During the last winter I passed in Paris, in 1870, 
I frequently met at dinner the son-in-law of her 
husband, who married the only daughter of the 


40 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


Marquis by a previous marriage. This gentleman, 

then the Prince de L , now the Due de R , 

one of the oldest and most distinguished names in 
France, had three sons and one daughter by this 
lady, and very high-bred and cultivated young peo- 
ple they were. I was struck with the affection and 
respect they entertained for Madame de Boissy — and 
they spoke to me of her in terms of the warmest 
regard. Her character must have been singularly 
amiable, for not only was she much beloved by her 
own family and that of her husband, but the rela- 
tions of Count Guiccioli were on terms of affectionate 
intercourse with her, and held correspondence with 
her, — in fact, her old age was blest. She had 
“ honor, obedience, troops of friends.” She had a 
large fortune left her by the Marquis, and every 
luxury wealth could give, but her devoted spirit 
never forgot the lost and the departed — she thought 
of them, and wrote of them. Her two volumes upon 
“ Lord Byron jug6 par les T6moins de sa Vie,” she 
gave me, also another volume called “ Les Id6es 
religieuses de Lord Byron and how truly she 
quotes the words of La Bruy ere : “ Le contraire des 
bruits qui courent des affaires et des personnes est 
sou vent la v6rit6.” She also presented me the 
volume containing the letter upon the Marquis de 
Boissy, to which I have already alluded. She gave 
me also large and fine engravings of herself and of 
the great minstrel, and of her husband, and several 
beautiful photographs. Whilst speaking of these 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 41 

prized gifts, I have to recount a cruel loss I sustained 
at a fete champUre , near Philadelphia, which I at- 
tended soon after my return to America. I lost a 
very pretty locket she gave me, containing a small 
portion of her hair, and that of Lord Byron, with 
the date and names engraven thereon. The chain 
of a bracelet to which it was attached broke, and I 
suppose it dropped, and had there been honesty I 
must have received it, but my inquiries were all 
fruitless and the loss irreparable. In the life of Lady 
Morgan, she mentions in one of her letters having 
met with a similar misfortune in Regent’s Park, 
London. She lost a medallion containing the hair 
of Byron and the Countess Guiccioli, given by the 
latter many years ago, before her marriage to the 
Marquis de Boissy : so it would seem there is a 
fatality about these souvenirs. At all events, both of 
us were losers of choice relics never to be replaced. 
When leaving Paris in the summer of 1869, she 
going to Italy and I to England, she invited me to 
pay her a visit in October, when I intended to be 
en route for Rome and Naples, prior to her return to 
Paris. I gladly accepted this invitation, but was 
detained longer than I expected both in Ireland and 
in England, so that in order to fulfil my engagement 
after reaching Paris, I was obliged to travel four 
days and nights to reach Florence and Setimello in 
time; but I arrived safely, and found my dear old 
friend in good health, and such a welcome as one 
with her heart would be sure to give. 

4 * 


42 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


I was delighted with the villa. Mrs. Radcliffe 
would have been charmed to describe it, with its 
suites of rooms, its corridors, its chambers remote 
and solitary, and its surroundings of wood and plain. 
The large drawing-room, hung with tapestry repre- 
senting the wars of Flanders, had been given, she 
told me, by Louis XIV. to an ancestor of M. de 
Boissy. This room opened into a beautiful little 
chapel. There was a spacious orangery attached to 
the house, and here it was my delight to wander in 
the early mornings, looking down from the large open 
windows, long avenues, from which in the perspective 
even Florence could be seen more beautiful — for 
“ distance lends enchantment to the view.” From 
this matutinal and fragrant visit I would return to 
breakfast with the dear Marquise, in a noble salle-d- 
manger, where great frescoes of the villas of the Mar- 
quis stood in bold relief on the walls. Our repasts 
were always cheery, and if there was not always 
“ the feast of reason,” there certainly was “ the flow 
of soul;” and civilization and art made our meals 
delightful to sight and sense. Indeed, from early 
morning to our parting for the night, there was all 
in our intercourse that good taste and true friendship 
could desire. 

I had the pleasure of meeting some of her own 
relatives — the Gamba family — during this visit. 
She was exceedingly fond of one of her nephews, 
to whom she told me she had bequeathed this estate. 
He appeared all that her praises spoke, and his 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSF. 43 


young Countess was happy in having so good as 
well as so handsome a husband. To them both I 
am indebted for the splendid sights of Florence. 
For several days they devoted themselves to showing 
me the lions of this far-famed city ; its churches, its 
galleries, and its works of art; its beautiful Cascine, 
where they drove me with such fine horses, I yet 
remember them for their great beauty and perfect 
bearing. It was by the courtesy of Count and 

Countess G that I was first initiated into the 

splendors of Florentine art. It was to Mr. Charles 
Isidore Hemans,* son of Felicia Hemans, the sweet 


* Mr. Hemans has since departed this life. He was a gifted 
man, a great antiquarian, a hard student. His books prove 
this. His “Ancient Christianity and Sacred Art” he was 
kind enough to present me with. He visited me frequently 
both in Home and in Florence, and I have listened with de- 
light to his recitations of his mother’s poems. He was just 
such a son as one would expect Mrs. Hemans to have, — refined, 
intellectual, religious, and learned. The kindness and friend- 
ship he manifested for me in many ways, and our interesting 
intercourse and most agreeable correspondence, are among the 
many cherished recollections of my life. Just before leaving 
Rome, in 1869, we had together a charming ramble over the 
ruins of the Baths of Caracalla. His perfect knowledge of 
ancient Rome — his lore, one may well say, of every spot of 
ground in classic Italy — made him in truth an encyclopaedia 
of knowledge relating to the history and archaeology of this 
“garden of the world,” and no questions on the subject 
could have been put to him without receiving the promptest 
and most erudite replies. It is impossible in this tribute to 
an Italian friend, having had occasion to name Mr. Hemans, 
whose friendship was formed in Italy, and whom I knew so 


44 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


poetess, that I had my more perfect and particular 
initiation into the marvels of painting and sculpture 
with which Florence abounds. When the time came 
for me to quit this delicious sejour of a few days, 
there was grief at parting; but she consoled me, 
saying, “ You will see it again but alas for human 
calculation ! she has passed away, and I have not 
seen it again, and never shall I now ; or if I do, it 
will be a saddening visit. “ Its bright inhabitant is 
gone.” 

I went from Florence to Rome, and then to Na- 
ples, and returning from this beautiful city stopped 
at Caserta, Rome again, Perugia, Assisi, Florence, 
once more. But the Marquise had returned to Paris, 
and after a few days passed there, I went to visit the 
Italian lakes, and soon after was glad to find myself 
in Paris once more, and near the kind friend who 
had showered so many favors upon me. I took my 
old apartment in the Avenue de l’Imperatrice, and 
the winter came on apace. The Marquise wrote for 
me to spend Christmas Day with her, and again on 
New Year’s Day she wrote for me, saying, “ We 
will commence the year together.” How well she 
seemed and looked ! And grim winter without only 

well in that fair land, not to say a few words in honor and 
respect for this sweet Christian gentleman, who lived long 
enough to give a beautiful example of modest merit and re- 
finement united to rare scholarship and piety as sincere as it 
was unobtrusive. 

“ Cur manat rara meas lacrima per genas ?” 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 45 

made the brightness within more delightful. One 
day, at dinner, she said, with a sweet smile, “I am 
an old woman, but I believe I do not look it,” and 
in truth she did not. There was nothing of the 
decrepitude of age about her. And so we continued 
our pleasing intercourse through the winter and 
spring. Presently all Paris was alarmed by un- 
happy rumors of war. The French, alas ! were con- 
fident and vain-glorious, sure of success ; but it was 
frightful. Such a spirit was manifested in the moral 
world there as in the natural world before the ex- 
plosion of a volcano. Wrathful mutterings and a 
dread apprehension filled many minds, and then 
came at last that declaration of war, which intoxi- 
cated one half of France, and filled with sorrow the 
other. At the morning receptions of the dear Mar- 
quise, I would overhear grave and threatening, as 
well as arrogant, if not vindictive talk by the gentle- 
men, all of whom were so sure of victory that the 
whole thing seemed an excitement to them. 

At these receptions, at this beautiful season of the 
year, the Marquise shared with her friends the mag- 
nificent fruits of her belle Luciennes. Such straw- 
berries I had never seen, — many of them as big 
as good-sized tomatoes, — they were prodigious. La 
belle France had everything but tranquillity. Splen- 
did flowers and fruits came not only from Luciennes, 
but poured into Paris from all parts ; and with these 
came tidings of preparations for a cruel war that was 
to be a snare and a scourge for this unhappy people. 


46 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


I was preparing to return to America, the Mar- 
quise was making arrangements to go to her home 
in Italy ; when we met, care and anxiety were upon 
us both. I dreaded our parting, but it had to 
come. Our views of the cruel war were widely 
different. Yet, though we did not agree on this 
subject, not a shadow came between our hearts’ 
affection. Some time later, when I was in Eng- 
land, she wrote me : 

Yous etes trop prussienne pour que je vous accable en par- 
lant de politique. C’est a Dieu la decision et le dernier acte 
de cet horrible drarae. Mes deux petits enfants le prince de 
Leon, et mon filleul Henri (son frere cadet), se battent toua 
les deux dans les mobiles. Jusqu’a present rien ne leur est 
arrive, si ce n’est que Henri a ete trois fois pres d’etre tue ! 
Yous pouvez imaginer l’etat du pauvre Due de R , leur pere. 

Her kind and sympathetic heart bled at the suffer- 
ings of her adopted country. But I could go on 
enumerating instances of her tender and compas- 
sionate nature, till I should prolong this article to 
an unwonted length, and so reluctantly I close my 
brief and unsatisfactory account of her. Those who 
have loved her have shown taste and discrimination, 
and I shall ever be glad that I have known her 
so well, and seen and been intimate with a character 
calculated to awaken so much admiration and affec- 
tion. Dear friend, sweet friend, faithful heart, 
good heart, as I recur to thy fidelity and truth, the 
wish cannot but arise that there were more like 
thee, and though my mortal eyes shall see thee no 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSV. 47 


more on earth, in some better land, where thy spirit 
hath found rest, we may meet where there are no 
partings, and no tongues to defame. 

Let the vile and ribald world love to believe evil 
— cherish their low impressions — cling to them — live 
in darkness if they will shut out light and truth 
— yet they still exist — they are mighty, and will 
prevail even here — inevitably hereafter are we not 
promised ? “ Here,” as a distinguished writer says, 
“as cats pursue mice and do not look up though an 
elephant pass by, there are persons so busily mous- 
ing for defects, they let high and beautiful qualities 
escape them in their search after what is more con- 
genial to their nature.” 

Thou dear departed one looked for good and em- 
braced it, and “ all the rest was far.” Peace to thy 
ashes. Repose and joy to thy soul ; and in eternity 
may we rejoice in the new heavens and the new earth 
from which all evil is banished. 

She with me disliked the idea of leave-taking, 
and whilst our last meeting in Paris was sad, she 
did not mean, I should think, it would be the last, 
for then there would have been too much grief for 
any enjoyment, so she spoke of our meeting again, 
and, though grave, talked cheerily to me. 

The next day I received the following note from 
her : 

Ne venez pas, chere amie. Yous ne me trouverez pas, car 
je pars. Je yous remercie de tout. Que Dieu vous benisse. 
Prions reciproquement Dieu l’une pour l’autre. Nous nous 


48 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


reverrons, peut-etre meme a Paris, avant votre depart pour 
l’Amerique. Ecrivez-moi, je vous ecrirai. Aimez-moi tou- 
jours, et croyez-moi toujours 

Votre affectionnee, 

Thericse de Boissy. 

Then in English underneath, in clear, bold letters, 
was written the benediction, “ God bless you.” 

I must here remark that her writing was always 
fair, open, and distinct — quite shaming the modern 
fashionable style of penmanship that often brings 
to my mind Sheridan’s amusing denunciation upon 
“ easy writing,” which I cannot find it in my heart 
to quote at this time. 

How touchingly beautiful are her notes and letters 
to me! — how full of warmth of heart, of devotion, 
and of rare intelligence ! I have a legion of them. 
I read and re-read them with mingled feelings of 
grief and joy — grief that she has gone forever, and joy 
that I was loved by one so lovely. I often ask my- 
self the question, What am I to do with them at my 
death ? they are too valuable to be lost — they recall 
a character replete with unusual and very charming 
qualities. I trust her life will be written by one 
cognizant of the truth and who will do her justice. 

She told me that Lord Byron from the spirit world 
had advised her not to allow their correspondence to 
be published until fifty years after her death. Since 
writing the above, I have been looking over the 
journals kept with all diligence during the few years 
that I have known her. I find constant allusions to 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSV. 49 

her — reports of her pleasant talk and of interesting 
incidents connected with her. These I must for the 
present forego to repeat, and come to a conclusion. 
I received, on the last day of January, 1873, in 

Philadelphia, a letter from the Countess G , the 

sister-in-law of the Marquise de Boissy, informing 
me that for fifteen months the latter had been very 
ill from neuralgia, and had been forbidden to write 
by her physician, but that she had deputed her belle - 
soeur to write to me to explain why she had not 
written, sending me at the same time most affection- 
ate messages and kind wishes and prayers for me. 
I was grieved at the intelligence of her illness, but 
I never dreamed death was near her. I was blind 
to the admission, and looked forward to seeing her 
again the ensuing summer. Oppressed with care 
and with engagements, I delayed writing till March. 
My letter arrived too late with a package I much 
wished her to receive. “Too late, too late!” these 
dreadful words struck a chill to my heart, when I 
heard she was no more, for I must have appeared 
neglectful to this kindest and best of friends. I 
will hope that from the spirit land, with eyes that 
have no more of earth’s dross, she may see the con- 
stancy of my affection for her, and that neither 
absence nor death can ever change it. To the Divine 
Keeper of the faithful I resign her, and in Him is 
hope. Without this the grave would be despair and 
life only bitterness. But “ He giveth His beloved 
sleep,” and bringeth light and immortality from the 


50 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


tomb, so we that sorrow may look up, believing in 
the beautiful words of Bulwer : 

****** 

There is no death ; an angel form 

Walks o’er the earth with velvet tread. 

He bears our best-loved things away, 

And then we call them dead. 

****** 

Born into that undying life, 

They leave us but to come again ; 

With joy we welcome them the same — 

Except in sin and pain. 

And ever near us, though unseen, 

The dear immortal spirits tread ; 

For all the boundless universe 
Is life. — There are no dead. 

The foregoing account of Madame la Marquise 
de Boissy was written immediately after receiving 
the sad intelligence of her death, which took place 
in March, 1873, at Setimello, by a letter from her 

sister-in-law, the Countess G , of Florence, 

whose husband is a senator there, and one of the 
“ ancien noblesse.” Two years passed, and again I 
trod Italy’s soil, and, remembering the dear friend 
who had passed away, when at Florence I naturally 
desired to see the spot that contained her last earthly 

remains. The Countess G had the amiability 

to take me to that charming villa, seven miles from 
Florence, where I had passed such happy and de- 
lightful days with her who had departed this life 
















































COUNTESS GUICCIOLI. 
From the bust by Bartolini. 







MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSV. 51 

for ever. After a rapid drive, we found ourselves 
at Setimello, near Sesto, and were treading familiar 
paths and tracing the steps where she was wont to be. 

I could indeed adopt the language of Lord Lyttel- 
ton in his touching lament for her who had been as 
his life : 

“ Blest shades of Hagley, 

Where is now your boast? 

Your bright inhabitant is gone.” 

Under a sky as beautiful as in those pleasant days 
when I enjoyed her sweet and gracious society, we 
passed into the house, and were conducted from the 
drawing-room to the pretty chapel adjoining it, which 
I have before spoken of, the entrance to which was 
concealed by the hangings of a rich curtain. To this 
sacred and convenient retreat I had frequently been a 
visitant when the guest of the Marquise; now I was 
led thither, and shown the white marble tomb that 
held her mortal remains, and read the modest yet 
tender and appropriate words that told her name, with 
the dates of her birth and death, in a manner befitting 
good taste and good feeling. “ Here she is in the 
midst of us,” said the Countess. “ Yes,” I replied ; 
“ what a favored place for the poor body to rest in ! 
And here, 

‘After life’s fitful fever, she sleeps well. ,,, 

There was no gloom in this sanctuary — that only 
told of silence and of peace. I am glad that I 
have seen her in her last home — guarded by the 


52 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS . 


hands of love even in the jaws of death. Peace to 
thy ashes, dear friend ! We passed out of the chapel 
into the orangery adjoining it on the other side. 
Sweet odors and sweet flowers and the singing of 
birds were around her as she lay enshrined in ever- 
lasting repose in a hallowed spot dedicated to the 
service of Almighty God. 

I bade an affectionate farewell to Setimello, taking 
with me some lovely flowers given me by the Countess 

G , and can look back upon this my last visit 

there, as well as to all my associations with the dear 
lady of whom I have written, without any distaste 
or alloy. 

Among her many notes and letters to me, I have 
selected two which I have had lithographed for this 
volume — two that I can with propriety introduce 
here as containing nothing exceptionable or of a par- 
ticular character, but her autograph is thus seen. 
The first note she ever wrote me I have given for 
this book in French, and the other a fac-simile of 
one written in English, so that in both languages 
her penmanship can be seen. Some of her letters 
are very pleasing, but not suitable to be published 
in a book like this; though the time may come 
when they will be thought quite worthy to see 
the light. The photographs are all copies of those 
given to me by her. She gave me several, and 
I have given all but one, and on that she passed an 
interdict that I should never show it. It is a copy 
of a charming picture of herself as a cherub, taken 




























. 




, . 














































' 


. * 












































































. 


















































MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 53 

in infancy in a pretty attitude, holding by a string 
a canary-bird, which has flown above her head, but 
which is still captive, held by the tenacious “ enfant” 
quite securely. Madame de Boissy told me she was 
the idol of her uncle, and when a baby, so great was 
his admiration of her he had her painted in this way 
for his own pleasure. I saw the painting, and I 
think it was at my request she had it photographed. 

In conclusion, I wish it distinctly understood that 
there has been but one motive in writing the account 
of Madame la Marquise de Boissy, and that is to do 
justice to her amiable character, and place the truth 
before the public as far as it has come to my knowl- 
edge. I hope what I have written may be read with 
care, and that it will be remembered that her ac- 
quaintance with Lord Byron lasted four years, when 
she was between fifteen or sixteen years of age and 
twenty, and that she was, as I have already men- 
tioned, under the protection of her father and brother, 
but that for twenty years she was the honored wife 
of the Marquis de Boissy, a senator and peer of 
France. I have endeavored to show forth her re- 
fined and literary life, fulfilling most amiably social 
duties, given to generous hospitality, and her con- 
fession to me was, “I am not worldly, though from 
my position, etc., I must mingle with the world and 
do my part in it.” 

• Her affection for me and her great kindness have 
naturally awakened reciprocal and grateful sentiments, 
and if I have succeeded in placing her in a more 


54 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


elevated point of view than she has been regarded 
by many, I shall not have written in vain. I am 
glad to say that my little history has been warmly 
approved by some of those whose opinion is worthy 
of respect and consideration, and I am tempted to 
quote a few lines addressed to me by Lady Wilde, of 
Dublin, distinguished as a writer both of prose and 
poetry, widow of the late Sir William Wilde, so well 
known as an eminent oculist and man of letters in 
Ireland. 

LINES ADDRESSED TO MISS M. R. D. SMITH 

UPON READING HER MEMOIRS OF MADAME LA MARQUISE DE 

BOISSY, BY “SPERANZA” [THE NOM DE PLUME OF LADY 

WILDE]. 

Upon this page thy hand hath traced 
A picture of a lovely mind, 

A form with every beauty graced, 

A heart good, generous, refined. 

Her love was Byron’s best reward, 

His laurels twine around her name, 

And ever with the English Bard 
The Guiccioli will rise to fame. 

* * * * * 

Beautiful as the last verse is, I regret I cannot 
insert it. A proper modesty forbids it, as the lines 
are quite too flattering, and come x from a heart of 
love, which is proverbially blind. 

Dr. R. Shelton Mackenzie, who was cognizant of 
my writing these reminiscences, was so good as to 


MADAME LA MARQUISE DE BOISSY. 55 

send me the following additional facts, some of which 
have been already alluded to. I am glad, however, 
to add them, as corroborating what has already been 
stated, as well as naming others not before spoken 
of, and my sincere thanks are due to him for this 
kindness : 

“ The Countess Guiccioli, who was born late in 
1801, and died in March, 1873, was the daughter 
of the Count Gamba, of Ravenna. Mr. Karl Hi lie- 
brand, an accomplished German, who knew her 
family, communicated some interesting details re- 
specting her in a letter which was published in the 
Allgemeine Zeitung of the 16th of April, 1873. One 
passage of this is as follows : ‘ I have had the privi- 
lege of looking through the whole of the extremely 
valuable manuscript collection left by the Countess, 
which is still in the possession of her family. It 
contains, besides the manuscript of a work on 
“ Byron’s Stay in Italy,” by the Countess, which is 
full of unpublished letters and contemporary notices, 
a quantity of Lord Byron’s autograph manuscripts 
(for instance, of “ Marino Faliero,” several cantos of 
“Don Juan,” the “Prophecy of Dante,” etc.), and, 
what is a good deal more important, an extensive 
correspondence, dating from 1820 to 1823, which, 
however, is scarcely adapted for publication.’ 

“ In her book, ‘ Lord Byron juge par les Temoins 
de sa Vie,’ Madame Guiccioli intimated that she in- 
tended to write about Lord Byron in Italy. It was 
stated, immediately after her death, that Madame’s 


56 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


last request was that her Byron papers should be 
published. This has not been done. 

“ The late Marquis de Boissy was born in 1798, 
of the very old Breton family of Rouill6, and his 
property was chiefly in the department of the Cher. 
His marriage with the Countess Guiccioli was the 
last celebrated in the Chapel of the Chamber of 
Peers, at the Luxembourg, Paris, before the outbreak 
of the Revolution of February, 1848. 

u The Marquis, who died in 1866, bequeathed all 
his property to his widow, with final reversion to his 
only daughter, who married the Prince de Leon, who 
became Due de Rohan several years ago, by his 
father’s death. This lady is no more, but her otf- 
spring have inherited all the property.” 
















1 



‘f/aJLUU, 


COUNT DE WALDECK 






















% 






‘ 




























■ 






















































































































































THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 



N recurring to my journal kept during my 
residence in Europe, I find an account of 
an extraordinary man whom I knew inti- 
mately in Paris, and whose life is so replete with 
interest that it seems incumbent upon me to write 
what I know respecting him. 

I must first narrate how I made his acquaintance, 
and be pardoned, en attendant , a little digression. In 
my travels it is my habit to visit places of interest 
as I pass along. Landing at Queenstown after my 
second voyage to the Old World, en route to the 
enchanting Lakes of Killarney, I stopped also at 
Cork, the environs of which are charming. The far- 
famed Blarney Castle is a picturesque and interest- 
ing ruin near by; after a drive there in an Irish 
jaunting-car, I was induced to visit the celebrated 
Turkish Bath Establishment half a mile from Blarney, 
of which so much might be written. Suffice it to 
say, I was so delighted with the place, with its fine 
landscapes and well-cultivated grounds, that, having 
been immured for fourteen days on ship-board, they 
had such an attraction for me that I obtained permis- 

57 


58 TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 

sion of the gentlemanly proprietor and physician* at 
the head of this establishment at that time to go there 
for some days ; and here it was that I met the invalid 
savant to whom I am indebted for my introduction 
to the centenaire Count de Waldeck, whose history I 
have found so interesting and so well worthy to be 
made known, that I shall relate the facts of his life 
as they have been presented to me. The savant from 
whom I heard of this remarkable personage has 
passed away; he, as well as the aged traveller, of 
whom he related so much, has departed this life; 
their researches and their labors are over ; but never 
shall I forget the interesting information he gave me, 
nor the delight with which I listened to his varied 
and erudite conversation. 

“ Oh, the prevailing might of a sweet learned tongue,” 

and so yielding to this attraction when he was alone, 
I found myself near him ; and he, pleased with so 
attentive a listener, poured forth the riches of his 
knowledge and of his mind. One day sitting near 
him, he handed me a letter, saying, “ This is from one 
of the most extraordinary men of the age — Count 
de Waldeck, now ninety-nine years of age.” 

“What!” said I, interrogatively, looking at the 
beautiful Venture before me, “ this written by a man 
of that advanced age?” “Yes,” he replied; “and 
as you are very appreciative, and are going to Paris, 
where he now resides, I will give you a letter of 


* Dr. Bates, since deceased. 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


59 


introduction to him.” I could not but express my 
thanks for the courtesy; and as the letter from such a 
veteran is not without interest, and was presented to 
me by the receiver, I give a translation of it, which 
proves his industry and zeal. 

London, September 11, 1865. 

22 Percy Street, Bedford Square. 

My dear Sir, — I shall be here until the 18th of this month. 
If you return before that date, will you have the kindness to 
let me know, that I may be able to have the pleasure of .seeing 
your collection,* and of presenting my respects to Mrs. de 
W as well as to yourself? 

You ask for a copy of the “Ancient Monuments of Mex- 
ico,” and of my drawings, published by order of Napoleon 
III., in five numbers, double volumes, less one. I have 
chosen the best and first edition for you, and have left them 
in the care of my brother-in-law, E. Henwood, whose address 
you know. The price is <£3 15s. 

I should regret extremely to leave London without your 
having seen my great work, of which you will find an account 
in the circular which has been sent you, and in which I hope 
you have had the kindness to interest yourself and recom- 
mend to your friends. Mr. P , who spent three hours 

yesterday in examining it, approves of the plan and execu- 
tion, and has promised on his part to advise the subscription, 
the only means I have of undertaking the publication, and of 
combating the Jesuits, who wish to prevent the execution of 
the plan, which is not, from their point of view, in accord 
with the received chronology. 

I remain, sir, yours very sincerely, 

De Waldeck. 


* This gentleman had a rare collection of curiosities and 
antiquities, which he afterwards, I understand, presented to 
the British Museum. 


60 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS . 


Such was the letter from Count de Waldeck to 

Mr. de W , at the age of ninety-nine years; and 

I became so interested in him that I asked for fur- 
ther particulars respecting him, and Mr. de W 

wrote for me the following account of him, dated 
- September 16, 1865 : 

u Count de Waldeck, a distinguished Mexican trav- 
eller, is of Prussian family, but a naturalized subject 
of France. He has published several laborious 
works on the antiquities of Palenque, Yucatan, Gua- 
temala, and other parts of Central America. He re- 
sides in Paris — 2 Chauss6e des Martyrs, Mont- 
martre — and is now in his ninety-ninth year. He 
married, fifteen years ago, an English lady — at that 
time in his eighty-fourth year — and has one boy, 
now fourteen years of age, who is a pupil in one of 
the military schools of France. Some two or three 
years ago Count de Waldeck offered all his manu- 
scripts and his exquisitely-finished drawings to the 
French Government for a certain sum of money, 
with the view of making some provision for his wife, 
but the Government instead actually conferred upon 
him an annuity for life. He is now actively engaged 
in drawing illustrations for a forthcoming work on 
Mexico. He rises very early in the morning, and 
so seats himself at his desk in readiness for work 
that he may catch the first rays from the sun as it 
appears above the horizon.” 

Mr. de W adds that the French Government 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 01 

has just completed the publication of the first volume 
(folio) from Count de Waldeck’s papers. 

In a short time after this conversation I quitted 
St. Ann’s Hill,* and ere long was on my way to the 
Continent, and was soon established in Paris, which 
is indeed the rendezvous of the world. I did not 
forget the centenaire, and wrote him a note enclosing 

Mr. de W ’s letter of introduction, and begged 

him to name a day convenient for him to receive me. 
An immediate answer in his fine and perfect pen- 
manship was returned, dated March 5, 1867, 2 
Chaussee des Martyrs, saying as follows, in perfect 
English : 

Your favored letter, with the one of my friend, Mr. de 
"W , dated Saturday, did not come to hand till this morn- 

ing at 11. I shall be most happy, if not too late, to have the 
pleasure of your visit to-morrow, Tuesday, any hour after one. 

Yours respectfully, 

De Waldeck. 

I did not fail to go at the time appointed, and 
drove over in the direction of Montmartre to Hue des 
Martyrs, and ascended four flights of stairs to his 
comfortable apartment, where his pictures adorned 
the walls of a cosy salon , and where I was received 
with perfect urbanity, and with a shade of courtli- 
ness very becoming his advanced age ; but there was 
nothing of decrepitude about him. I found him full 
of vigor of mind, and still an athletic look about 
him ; his voice was firm and sonorous, and he talked 


* The name of the Turkish Bath Establishment. 
6 


62 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


as a man who was yet ripe for art and for all that 
makes life pleasant. He showed me many of his 
pictures of the far-off countries which he had ex- 
plored. They appeared to be executed with great 
fidelity and finish. He took me to his studio, and 
adjoining this was his bedroom, where he could, if 
disposed, look at his easel from his bed, and criticise 
for improvement the work of his hands. I was aston- 
ished at his productions, and felt a deep interest at once 
in his labors and a respect for his persevering and in- 
defatigable industry, of which his paintings around 
him gave ample testimony. But, worthy to be noticed 
and admired as these were, his conversation interested 
me more than all, and I was led to ask him many 
questions of his past history, and his replies took me 
back to scenes I had read of, but never expected to 
have heard of from an eye-witness. I should here 
say that he was born at Prague, in Bohemia, in 
1766. He was ten years old on the breaking out 
of the American Revolution, and he said that he 
“had lived through forty-two revolutions.” His 
relations of his past life, particularly his earlier ca- 
reer, were most interesting. He was a hale-looking, 
well-proportioned man, about six feet in height ; his 
head was covered with fine white hair, and he had a 
long white beard, which added dignity to his appear- 
ance. He did not seem more than a well-preserved 
man of seventy years of age. He told me that 
he had always enjoyed good health ; that he had 
lived temperately, and had used much out-door exer- 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


63 


cise ; that he slept well, and had invariably a good 
appetite; that he rose with the dawn, and did not 
give himself more than about seven hours’ sleep, 
thus following out the counsel of Sir William Jones 
in this respect: 

“ To soothing slumber seven,” etc. 

The Count was careful of his health — he was a 
very hearty man, and had a never-failing appetite. 
He talked much of horseradish as a remedial agent 
— he recommended its use warmly ; to be taken for 
six weeks, every spring, grated horseradish mixed 
with crumbs of bread, and flavored with lemon-juice 
instead of vinegar; taken in large quantities by the 
tablespoon ful, instead of the teaspoonful, three times 
a day, at each meal. He said he had known persons 
who had singularly improved under this regime, and 
he pronounced it a complete alterative and a renewer 
of the system and a great purifier of the blood. 

I give his opinion for what it is worth to those 
who seek good health and are ambitious for length 
of days. 

I prolonged my visit to listen to his recitals. He 
resided in England for some years, and was often in 
company with Fox, Pitt, and Sheridan, and drank 
with them his full allowance of port, but was never 
intoxicated. He said he had frequently dined with 
George III. I wish I could remember the name of 
a nobleman with whom he stayed in Scotland at the 
same time that Lord Byron was a guest also. He 


64 TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 

spoke of the exceeding beauty of the noble poet. He 
said they would start off early in the morning — the 
ostensible purpose was to fish in a river near by ; 
but the old Count laughed, as he said, “Lord Byron 
would swim, and leave me to fish alone.” He made 
cotnments on him I care not to repeat, but dwelt 
upon his marvellous beauty as something that almost 
deified him. He knew Beau Brummel and Count 
d’Orsay, Bobespierre and Marat; he pointed to a 
painting given him by Marat — in fact, he seemed 
well disposed to talk of former days ; but I had paid 
a long visit, and, though wishing to hear more, yet 
felt I must bid my veteran friend good-by, for whom 
I already entertained much sympathy ; as I did so I 
added, “ Au revoir,” to which he responded heartily. 

In a day or two he called to see me. Those who 
know Paris well will understand the immense dis- 
tance he came, when I narrate that he walked all 
the way from Montmartre to the upper part of the 
Champs Elys6es to see me. He was now one hun- 
dred years old, and I said, interrogatively, “ You have 
walked this distance?” and he said, “Yes” — seating 
himself with evident satisfaction — “and when I sit 
down I feel forty ; but my legs are bad — they were 
bitten by the rattlesnakes in the ruins of Palenque, 
where I passed three years making sketches, and I 
have never gotten over it ;” and then the conversa- 
tion, or rather the narrative to which I had listened 
a few days before with so much interest, was re- 
sumed. He told me he had been in Egypt with 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


65 


Napoleon ; that, being an Austrian subject, he had 
accompanied him under a feigned name, as a savant , 
with the rank of captain ; he was frequently by his 
side, and partook of his humble fare. He said 
Napoleon had a great dislike to ceremonial dinners, 
preferring to eat alone. The Count was an admirer 
of this wonderful personage, yet confessing his inor- 
dinate ambition, but calling him a “just man.” He 
related to me of himself that he had the power to 
copy the handwriting of any one perfectly; that 
upon one occasion, from mere caprice, he wrote the 
name of Napoleon Bonaparte so like that it was a 
fac-simile. This reached the ears of Napoleon, who 
was not pleased ; he sent for Count de Waldeck, and 
said, “ I hear you can imitate the handwriting of 
any one, and that you have imitated my signature?” 
“ Yes, sire,” replied the Count. “ Now,” continued 
Napoleon, “ write it here, and then look at the top of 
the paper before you ;” which the Count did, and, to 
his dismay, read, “ Condemned to three months’ im- 
prisonment at Vincennes.” He bowed his head and 
retired, and went to the prison. Two weeks after, 
Napoleon sent for him, and said, “ You will not do it 
again ? It is a bad practice ; it is dangerous. I had 
to make an example of you, though I know that you 
are a friend to me and of my dynasty.” Such was 
the discipline of this autocrat even with his friends. 

The more I heard from Count de Waldeck, the 
more surprise I felt at his vigor and energy at his 
time of life. He told me he went every day to the 
6 * 


66 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


Imperial Library, where he was occupied in anti- 
quarian researches ; that he never rode or drove ; and 
this from a centenaire living in the fifth story of a 
house in the Rue des Martyrs ! — that alone would 
have sapped the energy of many a younger man in 
these degenerate times. He was an artist as well 
as an archseologist, and his paintings and sketches of 
the countries he had visited, of the ruins he had 
beheld, were replete with interest. He told me he 
had travelled eighteen thousand miles on foot through 
South and North America ; that he had visited 
Mexico and Central America ; that he lived three 
years in the ruins of Palenque, making sketches, 
where reptiles and poisonous flies endangered his 
life; that he returned to France and offered the 
labor of his hands as well as head, his sketches 
and notes, to the French Government, which took 
them, and only offered him a pension for life, which 
the brave old artist accepted, saying, however, “ I will 
be even with them yet,” and his life was prolonged 
to an extraordinary age. The French Government 
brought out his pictures and his notes in a volume, 
which was exhibited at the great Exposition in Paris. 
The Count was, however, extremely dissatisfied with 
the manner in which it was done, and his intense 
desire was to gain a sufficient number of subscribers 
to enable him to publish it in a more creditable and 
satisfactory manner. He had already the names of 
a number, but not enough to authorize him to under- 
take it in the manner he wished. Much touched by 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


67 


his indomitable perseverance and by the enthusiasm 
he evinced in the matter, I determined I would try 
to aid him and use my influence in his behalf, that 
he might fulfil what seemed the cherished wish of 
his heart. I said all I could to encourage him. I 
became a subscriber myself. It was delightful to 
witness how sanguine and grateful he looked. 

Before leaving me on this occasion, he gave me 
the history of his second marriage in his eighty- 
fourth year with a young girl of seventeen. I will 
relate the event in his own words. “ I was living 
in Paris on my return from my travels, devoted to 
art and my studies, when my English housekeeper, 
who was a superior woman, said to me, ‘ Count, will 
you allow me to send for my niece in England, that 
she may receive lessons in music and in French ?’” 
The Count said, “I shrugged my shoulders, and 
replied, ‘ I don’t care; do what you like.’ She 
came. I saw Ellen, and I loved her, and I said 
to myself, ‘ This is very silly for a man at my time of 
life/ but I could not help it, and I married her.” 
She was a very pretty young creature, and was 
charmed with “her old gentleman,” as she called 
him ; and, as she has since told me, she always highly 
appreciated him, and made him an excellent and 
attractive wife. No doubt his days were prolonged 
by her unswerving devotion. She bore him one 
son, now a young man of about twenty-six years of 
age, and for whom the Count cherished the most 
devoted affection. I was in Paris when the war 


68 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


broke out between the French and Germans, and I 
asked the Count what he would do if France claimed 
the services of Gaston (his son’s name) in the war. 
“ I will go in his stead,” was his grave and heroic 
answer, and he meant it. 

Soon after my introduction to him, and after 
several visits paid and received by him, my sym- 
pathies became thoroughly aroused in his behalf ; 
it appeared to me he was not appreciated, and that 
poor justice — or, indeed, no justice at all — was done 
him after his life-long labors in art and archaeology. 

“ How seldom, friend, a good, great man inherits 
Honor or wealth for all his world of pains ; 

It sounds like stories from the land of spirits 
If any man obtains that which he merits, 

Or any merits that which he obtains.” 

Thoughts of this kind passed through my mind more 
and more with regard to him. I felt I had little 
influence, but what I had I would exert in his be- 
half. I was “ instant in season and out of season” 
in speaking of him. I induced several of my com- 
patriots to call upon him. I went with some of 
these to see him, and they were delighted and as- 
tonished. “ Have I said too much ?” I asked, upon 
one occasion. I recollect well the reply: “No, not 
half enough.” Eight of these became subscribers 
to his work. I had set the example. The price 
was ten pounds, or fifty dollars ; but the trusting 
centenaire said, “I do not want the money till 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


69 


the book is out. Only give me your names and 
addresses, that I may know where to send them.” 
Some of those to whom I introduced him became 
his friends. Among them were some persons of 
large fortune, who had it in their power to benefit 
him. He became known among Americans — he 
was invited to evening parties by my friends, who 
sent their carriages for him ; and at these soirees, 
though an object of general attention with his, compar- 
atively speaking, young and pretty wife, he evinced 
a dignity and suavity truly inbred, and pleased all 
to whom he was presented. At one of these even- 
ing parties was Mr. Hale, formerly our Minister to 

Spain, Mr. R W , of Boston, and others of 

like position, who appeared to feel a true interest in 

him. I presented Mr. O T , of Washington 

City, to him, and his generous-hearted and appreci- 
ative wife said, “We will, of course, subscribe to his 
book.” So now I had caused expectation as well as 
hope in the old man’s heart; but there was yet much 
to be done, and I determined to write to the Em- 
peror Louis Napoleon about him; and, as I knew 
he was familiar with the English language, I wrote 
in my native tongue, that I might the better express 
myself in behalf of the aged Count. I made an 
apology for troubling his Majesty, but begged him 
in consideration of my motives to pardon my te- 
merity, and after the perusal of my letter to act as 
was his gracious disposition, or words to this effect. 
I then went to General D , who was at that time 


70 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


the American Minister in Paris, and told him my 
wish was to get the letter into the Emperor’s hands. 
He advised me to go to the Tuileries and see General 
Fleury and commit the letter to him for his august 
sovereign. I did so. One fine morning I drove 
there, and asked for the general, sending up my card 
by one of the servants of the palace. I was promptly 
and politely received. I asked of the general, “ Do 
you speak English?” His quiet reply was, “Pas 
un mot ;” so in imperfect French I told my errand, 
and asked if he would be so good as to see that the 
Emperor received the letter. To my astonishment, 
in perfect English he replied, “ I will give it to 
his Majesty with my own hands.” I thanked him 
sincerely; and, buoyant with hope for the Count, 
waited for good news, which came to me before the 
week expired. Monsieur Pietri, le premier secretaire 
de l’Empereur, called to see me, wishing to learn 
more of my aged friend. I told him all I knew, 
and he appointed a day for me to come again to the 
Tuileries to hear the result of my application. My 
second visit confirmed my hopes, for the Emperor 
had subscribed for twelve copies, and even designated 
how he wished them bound; so there were twenty 
subscribers I had gained for the veteran artist, and I 
felt more pleasure than I can express in taking the 
pleasant tidings to him. I saw how satisfied he felt, 
and how encouraged. Alas for the poor Count! 
The cruel war between France and Germany broke 
out — his hopes were nipped — Napoleon became a pris- 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


71 


oner — the Count even lost his pension — and the great 
work, upon which his very soul was centred, had to 
come to a stand-still. Yet he was “ up and doing, 
with a heart for any fate; still achieving, still pur- 
suing he devoted himself to other pictures, and 
idleness never for a moment paralyzed his hands. 
Of his hopes who can tell ? Such a pride he took 
in his superb drawings and in his valuable notes, 
with which he hoped to enrich the world ! I had 
seen these splendid and deeply-interesting drawings, 
which had been pronounced very fine by consum- 
mate judges, and those who became subscribers to 
his book and saw them, and some of the proofs, were 
all eager for the volume to be finished, that the 
treasures might be in their own possession. But it 
was not to be — disappointment walked hand in hand 
with our aged but heroic friend — nobly he bore it, 
with a dignity quite touching. 

From what I saw of his great work and really 
labor of love, I am convinced it would have been a 
rare and superb volume, giving us a world of infor- 
mation upon the ancient places of the Western Con- 
tinent, and proving by his investigations that America 
was earlier civilized than the present “Old World,” 
and that its antiquities are more ancient than those 
of Asia and Africa, whence the arts were introduced 
to Greece. His sketches of the ruins of Palenque 
were extremely curious, and some of them beautiful, 
and I regret I cannot with perfect clearness enumer- 
ate many of these, such as w r ould throw light upon 


72 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


them that an archaeologist might admit and would 
receive with interest. I can only speak in general 
terms of what promised so much, and sorrow for him 
who now sorrows no more, that he did not live to 
see of the fruit of his hands, but descended to the 
tomb, like many another poor mortal, with cherished 
wishes unfulfilled. Yet he has left behind him 
noble proofs of his genius as a painter and his talents 
as a writer. His pictures were annually received at 
the Salon in Paris. One I remember which was 
exhibited in 1868 — a picture of still life, entitled 
“ Une Macedoine,” executed by M. de Waldeck at 
the age of one hundred and two. It represents above 
thirty subjects of high antiquity, taken mostly from 
the superb Cabinet des M6dailles of the Imperial 
Library in Paris, Rue Richelieu. The centre sub- 
ject is the famed and the largest cameo in the world, 
representing the apotheosis of the Emperor Augus- 
tus. More than eighty figures result from the com- 
position of the thirty subjects, and this elaborate 
painting was given with the utmost finish and exact- 
ness. I was frequently inquired of with regard to 
the forthcoming book, and I wrote to him, desiring 
that he would give me a particular description of the 
projected volume, that I might the better explain 
it to those who felt interest in his undertaking. I 
received the following note from him : 

Dear Madame, — With my thanks I enclose, as you wish, 
the prospectus of my hook — your valuable and kind recollec- 
tion of me in my anxious endeavors to promote the progress of 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 73 

knowledge concerning antiquity, manners, history, human 
and natural, of the pretended New World. 

I am truly proud of the interest of so highly gifted a lady 
becoming a warm protector of my work. Madame de Wal- 
deck desires to be most kindly remembered. 

Believe me, dear Madame, 

Your truly obliged, 

F. DE Waldeck. 

Prospectus of a work by Count de W aldeck , subscribed to by his 
Majesty the Emperor Napoleon III. 

ENCYCLOPEDIE 

D’ARCHfiOLOGIE AMfiRICAINE 

ICONOGRAPHIE DES RUINES EPARSES DU 
MEXIQUE AU PEROU 

COMPRENANT 

Tous les Monuments connus, mais jusqu’ici imparfaitement 
decrits, et un grand nombre d’autres encore inedits, repartis 
en 115 planches lithographiees, photolithographies ou chro- 
molithographiees, d'apres les dessins originaux, et representant 
plus de 2000 sujets, 

AVEC UN - TEXTE TRks DETA1LLE 

Pour la description des Monuments et leur etude comparee, 
indiquant leur origine probable et leurs rapports avec ceux 
de Pancien continent, notamment de PInde. 

(Une etude speciale est consacree au culte du Lingha, depuis 
les temps les plus recules jusqu’a la conquete.) 

PAR F. DE WALDECK, 

Doyen des voyageurs et des artistes, auteur du Voyage arche- 
ologique et pittoresque dans V Yucatan , et des Monuments anciens 

7 


74 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


du Mexique (ouvrage publie en 1865, sous les auspices de S. 
Exc. le Ministre de l’Instruction publique). 


En publiant cet ouvrage, resultat de longues annees de tra- 
vail, le desir de l’auteur est de faciliter les etudes, et surtout 
les etudes comparees, d’archeologie americaine. La division 
en deux volumes, dont l’un (in-quarto) comprend le texte, et 
1 ’autre (format des Monuments anciens du Mexique ) les planches, 
permettra au lecteur d’avoir commodement sous les yeux les 
figures en meme temps que leur explication. Le texte, reconnu 
insuffisant,-des Monuments anciens du Mexique , sera complete 
dans le present ouvrage, et necessitera, a titre de reference, la 
reproduction sommaire de quelques-unes des planches deja 
parues, dans des dimensions appropriees aux besoins de l’etude 
et au format du livre. 

En outre des edifices, plusieurs planches seront consacrees a 
d’autres sujets non moins importants, tels que les trois genres 
de ceramique, des manuscrits curieux (codices), la copie d’une 
precieuse carte historique, les costumes anciens, civils et mili- 
taires, entre autres ceux qui ont ete conserves jusqu ’a nos jours, 
certaines curiosites anthropologiques, enfin l’histoire naturelle 
dans ses rapports avec le sujet du livre. Le texte sera suivi 
d’un appendice tres etendu, servant de preuve aux conclusions 
de l’auteur. 

L’importance de cette publication demande qu’elle soit en 
partie souscrite avant d’etre mise en ceuvre. Quatre-vingts 
souscriptions, a 250 francs chacune, payables seulement lors 
de la livraison de 1 ’ouvrage, suffiront pour en assurer 1 ’execu- 
tion. En dehors de ces 80 souscriptions, il ne sera tire que 
420 exemplaires, qui seront vendus 300 francs. 

Pour souscrire, remplir le billet ci-joint, et l’adresser a M. 
de "Waldeck, 2, Chaussee des Martyrs, a Paris. 

N. B. Les personnes desireuses de voir les dessins de l’ou- 
vrage, pourront s’adresser au domicile de l’auteur, tous les 
samedis, de midi a quatre heures. 

Paris, l er juin 1867. 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


75 


Here is the English translation of the preceding : 
ENCYCLOPEDIA 

OF AMERICAN ARCHAEOLOGY. 

ICONOGRAPHY OF THE RUINS SCATTERED 
BETWEEN MEXICO AND PERU, 

COMPRISING 

All monuments, known, but hitherto imperfectly described, 
and a great number of others never yet published, divided 
into 115 plates, lithographed, photo-lithographed, or chromo- 
lithographed, after the original designs, and representing 
more than 2000 subjects. 

With a text giving a very particular description of the 
monuments, and of the comparative study of them, indicating 
their probable origin and their relations to those of the old 
continent, especially of India. 

A special study is consecrated to the worship of the Lingha, 
from the earliest times up to the conquest. 

BY F. DE WALDECK, 

Dean of travellers and artists, author of “ Travels in Yuca- 
tan, Archaeological and Pictorial,” and of “Ancient Mon- 
uments of Mexico,” published under the auspices of his Excel- 
lency the Minister of Public Instruction. 


In publishing this work, the result of long years of labor, 
the desire of the author is to facilitate the study, and especially 
the comparative study, of American archaeology. The division 
into two volumes, of which one (a quarto) comprises the text, 
and the other (in size resembling the “ Ancient Monuments 
of Mexico”) the plates, will enable the reader to have before 
him, conveniently, at the same time, both the plates and their 
explanation. The text of the “ Ancient Monuments of Mex- 
ico,” hitherto regarded as incomplete, will be completed in 


76 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


the present work, and will necessitate, by way of reference, 
the summary reproduction of some of the plates which have 
already appeared, in dimensions appropriate to the require- 
ments of the study and the size of the hook. 

In addition to edifices, several plates will he devoted to 
other not less important subjects, such as the three styles of 
ceramic art, curious manuscripts (codices), a copy of a valuable 
historical map, ancient civil and military costumes, especially 
those still in existence, certain anthropological curiosities, and, 
lastly, natural history in its relations with the subject of this 
hook. The text will he followed by a very extensive appendix, 
proving the author’s conclusions. 

The importance of this work requires a partial subscription 
before publication. Eighty subscriptions of 250 francs each, 
payable only on delivery of the work, will suffice to assure the 
execution of it. Besides these 80 subscriptions, there will be 
but 420 copies printed, which will be sold at 300 francs each. 

This prospectus will give full information as to 
the studious and laborious work Count de Waldeck 
had been so earnestly engaged in for so many years, 
and long after the period when men cease to labor, 
as a general rule, so that heartfelt respect as well as 
deep sympathy will be felt for the non-fulfilment of 
his efforts and aims ; but he has left a bright exam- 
ple of courage in adversity and submission in hope, 
so that his life should give stimulus and instruction 
not in vain. 

Count de Waldeck knew Marie Antoinette, and 
went to see her the second day of her imprisonment. 

He received a commission from Madame C 

O , of Clonmel, Ireland, wife of an Irish mem- 

ber of Parliament, to paint from memory the unfortu- 
nate Queen. He succeeded well. It was an oil-paint- 




■ 

■ 

' r 

- 








■ 


■ 






























• 








THE SECOND DAT OF THE IMPRISONMENT OF MARIE 
ANTOINETTE. 

Painted by Count de Waldedk at the age of 104. 














































* 




















































































































































« 

















THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


77 


ing about two feet in length. Mrs. O was kind 

enough to allow him to have the painting litho- 
graphed, and his widow has these pictures for sale, 
that they may add to her small means. I purchased 
several of them, and have had a copy made for this 
volume by a photographer of this city, but in so re- 
duced a form it does poor justice to the picture. He 
called it “ Seconde Jour nee de Marie Antoinette & la 
Conciergerie l’original appartient 4 Madame C. T. 
O., de Clonmel ; peint par le Cte. Max. de Waldeck 
& l’&ge de 104 ans. 

What a lesson does this portrait impart — history 
teaches us many such ! One cannot look upon it with- 
out associations the most painful. One pauses as like 
a flood rush upon the memory the griefs and disas- 
ters of this afflicted lady, of whom Burke once spoke 
in such extravagant terms of praise, when in her 
radiant youth she dazzled the beholder by her grace 
and beauty. It brings to mind forcibly his sympa- 
thetic and splendid speech upon this august and most 
unhappy sovereign of France, whose tragic career 
the world mourns, and I am tempted to give a brief 
extract from it here, as adding interest to the picture, 
and as not misplaced in this connection or with the 
thoughts awakened by the very name of Marie An- 
toinette. “ It is now sixteen or seventeen years since 
I saw the Queen of France, then the Dauphiness, at 
Versailles; and surely never lighted on this orb, 
which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful 
vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating 

7 * 


78 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun 
to move in; glittering like the morning star, full 
of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolu- 
tion !” etc. 

Soon after the cruel disappointment of Count de 
Waldeck and the blighting of all his hopes by the 
fall of Napoleon and the consequent suspension of 
his pension, I, too, was forced to say farewell to him 
in deep sympathy and sorrow. Before I left Paris 
I gave him a commission to paint a vase w T hich is in 
the Cabinet des M6dr.illes in the Imperial Library 
in Paris. The vase is in silver, and represents the 
bas-reliefs of Achille pleurant sur le corps de Pa- 
trocle. (Achilles weeping over the body of Patro- 
clus.) Peint k Page de 104 ans, en 1870, par J. F. 
Maximilien Comte de Waldeck. (Painted by the 
Count in 1870, at the age of 104 years.) I have had 
this painting photographed by the same artist who 
has copied the other subjects named in this volume 
and another not yet named, which is well worthy 
from two reasons: first, because it was a gift to me 
from my grateful old friend ; and, secondly, because 
it was an original Assumption of the Virgin — a truly 
Catholic subject by a Catholic artist. I cannot criti- 
cise it ; it is by one respected and admired by me, 
and it has some beautiful points — the heads of some 
of the angels are charming. It was an offering of 
affection, and is therefore highly prized by me. 

I embarked once more for America, glad to escape 
the excitement and horror of this blasting war, and 



- 


































■ 















SILVER VASE. 

From the Cabinet of Medals in the Imperial Library of Paris. 
Painted by Count de Waldeck at the age of 104. 



I' 







THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 79 

that the wide, wide sea should be between me and 
the disasters that were befalling unhappy France. 

A few months after my return I received a letter 
from Count de Waldeck, informing me of his project 
to cross the Atlantic to try his fortune in America. 
Indefatigable man ! he explained to me his views 
and intentions, but it will be well to insert his letter, 
that his motives as well as his genius and courage 
may be better understood. I was astonished at his 
temerity, but, seeing his sincerity and earnestness, 
could not but exclaim, “ The noble soul by age grows 
lustier !” The following is a translation of his letter, 
a fac-simile of the original of which I have also in- 
serted : 

74, Hue des Martyrs-Prolongee, 
August 24, 1871. 

My dear, good Friend, — I have just received the letter 
you wrote to Ellen ; she is now in London. . . I write English 
too badly to address you in that language. Since past events, 
which I have survived with great difficulty, I rise at dawn, 
and work until dinner-time without the slightest intermission, 
to finish my diorama, by the advice of the first artists and 
the connoisseurs of Paris, who pronounce it inimitable, and 
promise for it a sure success, but it is positively necessary that 
I should finish it entirely before leaving Paris. 

You must remember that the downfall of the Empire has 
deprived me of the pension which Napoleon III. allowed me, 
and that I am reduced to a daily misery with fifteen hun- 
dred francs from the Institute. 

It is not that I have no objects of value : my diorama, when 
finished, will have cost me fifty thousand francs, and my 
engravings of Marie Antoinette are double their value, but 
France is ruined for a long time, and if she ever recovers it 
will be a miracle. If I could borrow ten thousand francs, in 


80 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS . 


two months I should be in New York, with all that I own 
that is valuable, and I would establish my diorama there, 
which would make my fortune and that of Gaston, who would 
go with me. When the famous Barnum sees my spectacle he 
will not fail to speculate on its profits, and if some one who 
could see some part of it would speak to him of it, or write to 
him the details of it, he would hasten to second my views in 
this respect, for never before has any artist of merit occupied 
himself in reproducing upon glass the history of all countries, 
and the science of all people, since the heroic age to this date. 
My age, my journeys, and my long experience become a guar- 
antee of the archaeological, geological, astronomical, etc., per- 
fection, which will teach the people what they do not know. 

I do not think Ellen will go with me to America ; she is too 
much afraid of the sea-vovage. She will remain with her 
relations in London ; for me, voyages are merely promenades. 
I have been accustomed to them since 1785, with Le Vaillant. 

What pleasure it will be to see you again 1 — but shall I ever 
have that joy? My health, my appetite, my sleep, are the 
same to-day as they were thirty years ago ; that is what makes 
me talk and write as a young man. 

It is not worth while to think of my great work on the 
antiquities of Central America unless I can publish it in New 
York, and I am afraid that the one hundred and twenty-five 
plates will be an obstacle; there is only in Paris the firm of 
Lemereier that could do it under fair conditions. 

Gaston and Blanche* (who is now a big girl) beg me to send 
their kind remembrances. As for myself, you know I can 
never forget you, and I am very glad that you escaped the 
trials of the siege and the horrors of the Commune. 

Ever yours faithfully, 

De Waldeck. 

What was I to do ? Could I have the heart to 
write to him and dissuade him from the hazardous 


* Blanche is a niece of his wife’s, an estimable English girl. 









* 










» 


* 



























































































































Ut frtnJ- I4JI 

/Llju. cU' rtuvdfyo* 


/*- 


'ti#. C^ut^jL. iS'/>Wtftt. Oj*uUa~ 


£lt*, ts-Ctm-t.* (j[***~ ****** A &IaA± y 

/^A /j.. t/tstL. i 


#>*•*< C<ry%vrYiA. 




fL’ . r 


■c-i^ iS£M4 


J) 


y 


*>V t5^i. 


C-t^itH ■VT^eyC,..^ v- 


Ac^ru*.* /i~4 trtsfPiA+vi k*i£t jS cct yu4r£y'»~*- y,^!^y* c-ia.- • a. y> c 

ur^Ajtez. y^'Z^u*. ry 

Wz*£ */--^ c-***tyu*t, /L* 


t 


~h- 



(4* 


***** -6 




"' 'r~-/~**~ ,rfk w ^ /iw, yGi, ^ {W -- 


u *~ p- **t a*t e, i)cr£ 


. hr-Sfy^sC, ^ 

i/J>y^i-L^. yytJ-tyiCtU- f^tx. &*zv£r So,***, tS'r+u,, 


> C!' 


»«< ,yy. /*. f 





* Wl yr^ ^£***4*** ^ 

^Wt*- +MU+. il^r<Viul^l nu. yt*v z*^- /ft-tC+^hr- /•+*/+*. if' 

Mb m»f»l/~ ♦»**- MltA. i«* M*-^«*/fct/*#«^ ^ 


* .**■. 




/-<•* */*?/&*, 4 , (-1 /c+tyUJ/fi tA U*- 

^ >kvi!/c y«-Aj/ or ^ iyt/hK^M^v /iiv Vc-l-f //ilyflirxA-t- 




SXAa CUA*— 


f.,^1 t/'h- /cct-hrC*. /LA*y+^~- &, £*2^ Ajsi*riyt*^.y,+Ay 

^O-uAJ' *^*"1 ' r * tju * ’***-**- -*-y y*j-K*.* 

e^A-'^O- c/lO**— A/) C.4t-a_v/t>p sy <^i*Yoyiyt, C4_ , 






C*tk, 


C+^S 4 




&**- £*~ju£^ #U^ 5 u/^ 


/ /t-»V, 








*’(s+f'i*-^ y A- y*^Asr -rrusv , t*/tJ^-f-*t fi*»/r osn&i~A, 


• /nru*- n,^ 






y^. /?$s: /waUA^t- 


^ SvT*- ^ LlA ~ 6*^ fit t~*%A t-1* t 

^U. ~~*' < ~** ^+-c~~, a^auL*^ ^SyyZy,iijJj 

** pu»^ Somc*^ io- 1 

‘^—r- ^ (ia^^vt) 





«> 2^4 




«y vt^.^,0-1^. J < 4 , 'fcUVpw/C-l t-rf 


b rrt-r^A 4 (>-t~. J^c+n ej t~Cot , 

/ 

'PfUH- ^ot^r yo-^y y 



*s~, £*Z^)zzzz^ . 

.^ 1 ^ 0 ^. /z&-) St^y£ t 

y**,'ft***S) 


tsyriZ* 


-/Ay 




^ ♦v>*-c r 


r/ ^ tt yy^A 




> 


MtsCAj., j/t. 


V 


^k./ </*<^ y^TJi^u 4 v 

fro-**-. 









THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


81 


attempt ? Could I dampen the enthusiasm that hoped 
so much, that had endured so much, labored so much? 
His chief object now was to enhance his income for 
the dear objects of his devotion — his wife and his son. 
Chimerical as the undertaking seemed to me, I did 
what I could for him. His marvellous health, his in- 
domitable energy, and the amazing courage he had 
shown in all his reverses, did not entirely discourage 
me, and I had so much sympathy for him that I de- 
termined to do as as he requested, write to Barnum, 
who possibly might be struck with his proposition 
and accept so great a novelty as the works of a man 
of such marvellous force and age. 

But I was disappointed. Sensibly, perhaps, he 
wrote the following reply : 

438 Fifth Avenue, New York, 
April 26, 1872. 

Miss Smith, — Your letter of Wednesday duly arrived. I 
go to Baltimore and Washington next week, and return the 
week following, hut fear I cannot stop aver, as I shall have a 
couple of grandchildren with me. If I can do so, however, 
I will inform you in advance, though I assure you I feel too old, 
and certainly your friend is, to engage in a new speculation. 

Very truly, 

P. T. Barnum. 

Thus perished the ardent hope of the Count for 
the realization of his etforts. He had to mourn 
talent unappreciated, hope frustrated, and the enter- 
prise and labor of his brain all lost as far as he was 
concerned. No doubt he did not despair, his char- 


82 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


acter would not permit him to do so ; doubtless he 
thought the time would come, perhaps even when he 
was dead and gone, that the world would do justice 
to his merit and genius, and that his son might yet 
reap the benefit of his original invention, upon which 
years of patient toil and artistic talent had been ex- 
pended. It was not for thee, brave man, to succumb 
to ill fortune — steady as an oak of the forest thou 
hast borne the blasts of adversity; and when thy 
exit comes, from “ the alpine heights of affliction , ” 
thou mayst find thyself in green pastures, at rest 
and satisfied for evermore. 

I passed two or three years in America* and again 
the attractions of Europe led me there. From Eng- 
land I went to Austria, spending some time in Vienna 
— loitering over its great Exhibition, seeing many 
things novel and interesting. 

Winter came on apace, and after visiting Russia 
— passing nearly a year there — and then going to 
Germany for many months, as time rolled on Paris 
again became my destination — Paris, that I had not 
seen since I left it a scene of discord and devastation, 
threatened, as if by a volcano, with dismay and ruin. 
I left it with difficulty and in affright. I returned 
to find peace established and the traces of war scarcely 
visible. I drove down the beautiful Avenue des 
Champs Elys6es, in the direction of Montmartre, 
to inquire after my ancient friend. The sun was 
bright as Italy’s ; the storm that had passed over the 
moral world of Paris seemed to have left it purified, 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK . 


83 


and by contrast the quietness that reigned appeared 
very striking. Arriving at 2 Chaussee des Martyrs, 
I left my voiture and ascended again the tedious 
stairs — those four long flights that led to the apart- 
ment of Count de Waldeck. All was very still. I 
rung the bell, and by a few steps found myself, alas! 
in the sick, if not dying, chamber of the Count. 
My rapid travelling and constant change of scene 
had kept me from hearing from my friends, or even 
writing to them for some time. My return was a 
surprise to them. What was my sorrow to behold 
the invalid, half supported by his wife, propped 
up by pillows; death I saw was hovering there. 
Madame de Waldeck seemed rejoiced to see me. I 
kissed the forehead of the dear old Count. His 
wife addressed him, and asked, “Do you know who 
it is?” He stretched forth his hand, looked at me, 
and said, “Petie!” and soon fell asleep again. We 
talked gently by his side, and she told me that he 
had a fall during the past winter — that he had been 
to a soh'6e at one of the Ministers’, and coming away 
had slipped on the steps — had injured his back — 
that an abscess had formed, the result of which it 
was thought would prove fatal. “ Before this,” the 
Countess de Waldeck said, “ he had been so well ; and 
but for this, who can tell how long he might have 
lived?” We talked sadly by his bedside until it 
was time for me to leave ; then again bending over 
him, I said, “ Good-by, dear Count.” He said, “ Ta 
ta” — a favorite expression of his for leave-taking •- 


84 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


and then took my hand, looked at me for some 
moments with the utmost clearness, and said, “ Re- 
member, my dear, there are few to be trusted, few who 
are sincere. Try, then, always to reflect before you 
advance your sentiments, and be careful to whom you 
express them.” And then he added, “ God bless you !” 

Wise and prudent man ! who can tell how many 
lessons had taught him the propriety of this counsel, 
or what thoughts he had of me and of my expansive 
character, that made him utter from hi's dying bed 
these pertinent remarks to me ? 

It was very remarkable that in his state of leth- 
argy, and it being some years since he had seen me, 
he should so distinctly have remembered me, and 
shown such kindness and affection. Truly glad 
I am that I was permitted to see him again and 
receive his affectionate farewell. It was the last day 
I could have done so ; the next brought tidings of 
his demise. And then came that long and ceremo- 
nious invitation to his obsequies, such as is the custom 
in France, and which I insert for the benefit of those 
interested in this remarkable man : 

You are requested to attend the funeral services 
and entertainment of M. Jean Fr6d6ric Maximilien 
Count de Waldeck, officer of the order of Venice et 
du M6rite de Venezuela, honorary member of the 
London Athenaeum, member of the Geographical 
Society of Paris, titulary member of the Committee 
on American Archaeology, titulary member of the 






r/rd 




us t/'dddd&r 4 ' a<ar fwsrbvtd, ..JcM/dr.-d- . ds . ' 

<r. - y'^a/idict/y JXc<XH' d/zikcudC cTRaztntiifirH'' G»ml<r %' fyJaidccK, fsjflLr*' 

d'/'SHa/ts’s da S/c ?c, d ed-du/ i /&<etdk. dzs /htd^ar/as 4 , r, ■ d^eradlry '^meria/A^p dr./? 

fl'jdtfrfjsnJum/ eke- d^ondud , r y/lhrnJd ds /a* • d&cdAd ^ ^df4/y'dy^y//> /a-J./d _ 

^y^.-.m^e.y/dtda^uZ-ez dsd^crndd 'Sdudddoacr- a-rrdicbadnry , '-ytfl&erriddu •y 
dd’/dLj f de- da/ ’. Jvrsejde dma ida-eda JL dytdrtGe/, ^dfaeydteJ/ddid zd' ^arzw//r" 
dc d.sddtartce.; Zdak'c4Jcd& <d ydidacet' dt, ^rdaderuJd ettdia^rd r dedede' de&rtO/- 
da. -d/6 ! "' a-fZfiee/, /mund dzd ^daC'ie./resrzdk ds d' dyudr:/, orr/ dan-' da/ttdrdr- 
J'dj dfflafy dd - y'Ma/dijfkd . 


tsn/i 


'ae ze /nandti dd 

(k^azs ’ de' ^'d(*r/<7r}J-dj£J Jl •- /kxu- O' /WubC /t'ZfZyJSTCfd, 

’u ideMe. '■ * -d^and+rtat/a*^ da--^iato<dddCy' 

£Ut $(■ JUimwul a (a. - c J\Ladim ,vyurttna.nc ' • 

(J^c jnu^i^ ! 

M £/«*/. J dfr£ c ddM, d WQded.d .Jdf 

<_ M~\ y^ dd^dey %4'adtdr/d? d /£oju oty&n&J dey.^f^' Jfad&a dry ffladab'rf 

dc.->y^ ' rJ^&flzUyCtZCl^, de-- < ^ ? . ($£draUst't?t/ , C f%4p. eddet' dzi^nr-,(/rd. $%6*iiatr0 z/ 
(£ia, Jo, da*?wJ rdd&irt) ea^dtds , dry y/M^ d^drt/d^tn/uscxrcd rd^da- damry dry 
ddzmjStyf , dt' .- ^ ■ £$dfy ed-krznV an^rdk , dr^’ 

cyd£^\ d&dLnc&y <. -d^tze (ddbnadc/ , d&f ,i/ea4re>, j&k, &M-,mku>, deatc,7: - 


j&dd , de&ui- denadf, *ndvduP rd /raided ■ 






















THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


85 


American Society of France, honorary Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Universal Alliance, and author of several 
works. Deceased in his hundred and tenth year, 
having received the sacraments of the Church at his 
home, 74 Rue des Martyrs. The funeral will take 
place Sunday, May 2, 1875, at twelve o’clock at 
noon precisely, at the parish church of Saint Pierre 
Montmartre. 

His friends will meet at the house of the deceased. 

De Profundis. 

On the part of Madame la Comtesse Ellen de Wal- 
deck, of M. and Madame J. F. de Waldeck and 
their children, of M. Gaston de Waldeck, of Madame 
Henwood, of G. Henwood, Esq., his wife and their 
children, of M. Henwood and his wife, of Madame 
Willis and her son, of Mr. and Mrs. Price and their 
children, of Miss Blanche MacDonald, his widow, 
sons, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, 
nephews, and nieces. 

One of the French papers contained the following 
remarks relative to the Count : 

“ At the time of the opening of the present Expo- 
sition at the Palais de l’lndustrie, the oldest of the 
painters, Count Max. de Waldeck, expired at his 
residence, No. 2 Rue des Martyrs: the previous 
month he had reached his hundred and tenth year. 
This is not death, it is but a slumber ; only this time 
the sleep will be eternal. He has smiled at his wife 
8 


86 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


and at his young son, and let his soul take its flight 
towards God. 

“ This robust old man was one of the most extraor- 
dinary examples of longevity; but his great age is 
less astonishing than the clearness of his mind. He 
worked at painting until the last, and his conversa- 
tion, especially when he related his long peregrina- 
tions, was exceedingly interesting. 

“It is but a few years since he sent one of his pic- 
tures to the Salon. His friends said, jestingly, that he 
had made of his palette a cuirass against the scythe 
of Death. This time the great reaper found the weak 
spot in his breastplate. 

“‘You are still working at your archaeological 
studies?’ some one asked him lately. ‘What else 
should I do ?’ he replied. ‘ Antiquity is a passion 
with me. Similia similibus. Look ! here is an 
encyclopaedia, in three volumes, treating of the ar- 
chaeology of Palenque, which I hope to see published 
before my death. It is the work of my youth. I 
was scarcely a hundred and two years old when I 
began it !’ ” 

The morning of the day in which we should see 
our dear friend consigned to his last earthly tene- 
ment in P§re La Chaise shone beautifully. Nature 
gives no sympathetic throb for the woes of her chil- 
dren — so I thought as again, and probably for the last 
time, I drove over to Rue Chaussee des Martyrs — to 
\the home of him whose spirit had left us here for ever. 
I found a number of persons already collected to pay 







THE ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY ' 
Painted b y Count de Waldeck. 







































































































































































































































THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


87 


the last office of respect. The grief of Madame de 
Waldeck and her son seemed heartfelt, and grave, 
sad faces told of the respect and affection felt for the 
departed. The solemn moment came. The cortege 
followed the mortal remains of the respected and 
august traveller. “ Earth that had nourished him” 
for so long now “ claimed his growth, to be resolved 
to earth again.” The funeral procession ascended 
the hill of Montmartre* to the ancient church there. 
What a magnificent view of Paris met our eyes from 
this lofty site ! We entered the church ; but, as the 
service was long, and the church felt damp and chill, 
I stepped out and walked over the grounds of this 
historic place. 

The church itself is pronounced u un curieux 


* The heights of Montmartre witnessed the final struggle 
between the French and the Prussian and Russian allies on the 
30th of March, 1814, and also were the scene of important 
events during the sieges of 1870 and 1871. 

From this hill is to be seen a fine view of the vast sea of 
houses in the city, of the plain of St. Denis, and the course of 
the Seine towards the north, and of the valley of the Marne 
with Vincennes towards the east. According to tradition, St. 
Denis and his companions suffered martyrdom here, and the 
present name of the hill is probably derived from Mons Mar- 
tyrum. Others suppose the name to be derived from Mons 
Martis, from a temple of Mars which is said to have stood 
here in 1147. Louis VI. founded a Benedictine abbey here; 
in fact, the heights of Montmartre are full of history, and it 
was not inconsistent that in the antiquated church on this 
lofty site the funeral services of the ancient traveller should 
take place. 


88 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS , 


morceau d’architecture” — the only equal to it to be 
found in Paris is Saint-Martin-des-Champs, — and is 
well worthy attentive visits from archaeologists. 

It was built about the twelfth century : of the 
monastery and other buildings attached to it not a 
vestige remains. Around the church is a sort of 
garden, which Baedeker says “ is called ‘ Jardin des 
Oliviers/ containing curious sculptures, to which pil- 
grimages are frequently made;” but another and 
more elaborate guide of Paris says it is called “ Le 
Calvaire.” I knew nothing of this. I stepped out 
of the church in the beautiful spring weather under 
a sky worthy of Italy, and wandered over the hal- 
lowed grounds alone, and suddenly, descending a 
gentle hill, came to an open hollow, half cave, half 
grotto, where was represented the immortal scene 
on Calvary’s historic mount — there were the three 
crosses, telling the divine story of Christ the Saviour 
and the Pardoner of sinful men. With reverent 
eyes I gazed upon this sacred scene. 

I quite agree with the revered Dr. Arnold, who, 
although a Protestant, did not object to pictures and 
sculpture representing divine history or heavenly 
things that appeal through our senses to the soul 
within us. I cannot resist making this remark en 
passant , when I know there are so many who regard 
such with prejudiced eyes. 

But I must leave these thoughts and this solemn 
sight to say that I returned to the church to wait for 
the funeral procession that was to attend the mortal 


THE COUNT BE WALDECK. 89 

remains of our departed friend to Pere La Chaise, 
where the interment was to take place. I had lin- 
gered so long in these quiet and secluded grounds, 
which were, from their lofty site, lifted far above the 
turmoil of busy Paris, that I found myself just in 
time to take my place among the mourners, and en- 
tered the carriage appointed for me with friends who 
had full sympathy with me in the feelings of respect 
and affection with which the Count was regarded by 
all who knew him well. The ancient cemetery of 
Montmartre is no more used — it is closed forever — 
“the dead reign there alone” — so that a long journey 
w 7 as before us before earth to earth, ashes to ashes, 
could be consigned to its “eternal resting-place in 
the silent halls of death.” Those who know Paris 
will understand how great the distance was to be 
walked by the gentlemen all the way, as is the habit 
in Paris. 

We arrived at last at this populous city of the 
dead, Pere La Chaise, of which a volume might 
be written — has been written. Here we were to 
part company with our venerable and venerated 
friend — he to “ lie down in his last sleep with the 
wise and good, the powerful of the earth,” 

“ Fair forms and hoary seers of ages past, 

All in one mighty sepulchre,” 

and we to go back to the city’s busy hum, and for 
a little while longer “to plod on,” pursuing, if “ not 
our favorite phantom,” the course of life which 


90 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


seemed most befitting us. At the grave a solemn as- 
semblage was gathered ; we stood in reverent silence 
for a while, then I saw the body lowered into the 
profound and what seemed its interminable vault. 
I heard the priest read the service, and the acolytes 
respond ; there was then showered upon the coffin 
some of our mother earth, and lastly holy water was 
sprinkled by all the mourners into the grim re- 
ceptacle of the mortal remains of him whom we 
all loved and respected; then we listened with tear- 
ful eyes and affectionate hearts to two admirable 
and just discourses upon the merits and abilities 
and rare life of the great traveller and devotee to 
art, and left the cemetery saying, in hope, Adieu and 
Au revoir. 

I was much struck with one of the eulogiums de- 
livered upon our deceased friend — and the gentleman 
who gave it promised to send it to me, which he did, 
with the following note, a translation of which I give. 
I am exceedingly sorry to say that the pamphlet that 
contained it has been lost, or I should gladly insert it 
here. It was a noble, eloquent tribute to the memory 
of him whose earthly life was at an end forever. 

Paris, May 4, 1875. 

Most honored Mademoiselle, — 

The word of a gallant man being sacred, I have taken 
measures to send you the address that I had the honor of pro- 
nouncing at the tomb of our dear and regretted Count ; feeble 
words, it is true, in a literary point of view, but having for 
their excuse the sincerity of the highest sentiments, dictated 
by the love of him who inspired them. I am very happy to 




2, ^/utip/ t 

■* 

tJUa.v ^P/*p) C&cCtKZ- 


dau/r/~ iv/tjfJ,- tVHJ tf /Ltp*/*/- & t cp ttsif)e ^p **¥' 

&*)?&** ll 3 A p- i* ***f-sf~ /*** L-^pLjA ~rfo~*p€4^ 'pt*/, -rtpy f y **' / * < * ( U/ft - 

\mX\LJ<X\*K ' j £/C* fasrjc- tO-Z^Li) /3o/t-t'/A—L** Al«, j~W*uJU 'H+/~ 

-till., At a ^**<^/ , *-rT**i->- l t**y //exr<) tttv-Z/t t%/~~ /ti- 


tdt-a, /LtttuZ /*-*) . 


c^p$%ayf~ tp*~ /it is/£_ it t**. /&*- AUtft * k^ *p jfc*. 

‘/fytvrt j'ttsiyy p/~dktri -7 trot /r£pp*5) 7> fiA-er^t* e* - t/~ tV/L**-* /m 

/LisrtJ 'un* et) t***. per /tiH en^. ^a/L-ll/uu-^ $Ct*/%uiC4, 

\v4u zl*-> p#u- /Cturvv tv At ^ /%*■ *4 ft-tsv C*- pp //a- 

t£t.£*. fe- O^. p /A, f A***. Af^t' *~y ^pp poL**^*/., ottfcy/L 

t»*4L*tp p /if*. /La- VA -TLri/' %f S/Z/C- /t-OppL JA >rlf, 

/fa- * M p~~ /LfO , 7 ■iVa/i- 7/urW /t<*»«- p/rt*--, A-7D pirn- 

jfctLd tv'-t'op /6 p^ -'//a* a/- na&i) At n*p AU/tZ t/ttp, 7cAA-/tL f ’ 

A/ A CcHJ*Ll/~ MM^L +Ap / t*-/p r ~ Z ‘+¥t> pCAA* 01 #*A*p Af fkj—T 

CAALA^+dsftaZtU- tpp~ir*p /tavatip Alla- S3 O/t/Cp *-4^ At/ff puvU apAZv 


~7 


AvCA/lT. fyjiAjL Ma- /uVLALd^ LA- /ll*« /9?0 tv /ftO*— 


/LA/t-taA-t t#fu> /lav*,- //rurvru- Vtx*. //lZL*- SLy/p' pL*LU. ffu. /A-tsr 

/p~~t*up t/tn*. -fcl -4/iri*-, LdrLL* */ i/t- •/ flAJ-iS £*l%- ci-p/lA ~ al- rrt p ^C*AV 

ptAAVL*) /tUk/^/tZ*- tLA-/ts/p Lt AxTujt 7ri> /in*— 

A-rrxA- th. PPa-/aLl-c-/ hij- 7 rv*. 


' /t-LHT 


/k 4 JCt~ All*) //f-rt*) LtL-/"~ /o 


&TA, VA-fyAJct. S r p v ^'AA4H/'^ttA>*AJp 


^ ZLCdvotp^ 
ptAViJ 

^ */ty/j/<rt /SZf- e / 

















































• - • - -- - i. - • 






. 





















» 























' 




















» -* “ »» 







*- 











* 







• 
























- 




















































THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 91 

have merited your kind attention, and for your request for 
this communication. 

I take, then, the liberty, Mademoiselle, of sending you a 
copy, with the testimony of my most respectful consideration. 

G. B. 

10 Hue Kochechouart. 

It may be interesting to the reader of this chroni- 
cle to peruse one or two of the letters and notes 
of Count de Waldeck, as they are all indicative of 
his amiable and manly character, and, written as 
they were by one more than a century old, they 
evince a warmth and freshness of feeling very re- 
markable. 

He had heard of dubious remarks that had been 
made to me as to his great age. These wounded him 
very much, and he wrote me the following letter on 
the subject, in English : 

My dear Miss Smith, — 

The doubt that was expressed to you regarding my ad- 
vanced age is most painful to my feelings. If I was ( en in- 
trigant ) | like those called Bohemes, in Paris, it would not 
surprise me; as a gentleman, my noble blood recoils at the idea 
imputed. 

My certificate of birth is in the keeping of the Imperial 
Ministry of Arts. I was obliged to produce it when his 
Majesty pensioned me for the book on Palenque and Ocotzinco, 
and which you know was published at the expense of the 
State. 

Since the age of 18 I have kept my daily journal. Al- 
though many of them have been lost, I still possess 35 vol- 
umes, from about the age of 40. I will show them to you, and 
you will find every 16th of March marked as my birthday. 
I could, as a coquette, make myself two years younger, owing 


92 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


to the circumstance of my having been baptized two years 
after my birth. 

There are still living in Paris two or three persons who 
have known me these sixty years. The godfather of my son 
Gaston, Count de St. Priest, can affirm, my dear friend, that 
the galling reality is, helas 1 too true. 

Madame de Waldeck desires me to present her best and 
kindest love, in which I join most sincerely, 

Remaining always 

Yours truly, 

De Waldeck. 

I frequently heard doubts as to his age, and I was 
very glad to have this refutation of them in his own 
handwriting, which I took pains to speak of, and in 
some instances to show. The great preservation of 
both his person and faculties awakened, along with 
surprise, the doubts of which I speak. 

Here is a note which he sent me, accompanying 
a photograph he enclosed for me with it. I give a 
copy of his note, which was in French, as well as a 
translation : 

Ma chere et bonne amie: 

Yous avez desire mon portrait. Je vous le donne avec le 
plus grand plaisir, quoique ma mine grondeuse serait capable 
de vous mettre en memoire mes brusques attaques contre les 
folies de ce monde. 

Je suis si vieux que je n’ai plus rien d’humain que le coeur. 
Helas ! il est reste jeune malgre mes 102 ans, et il me parle 
toujours de vous et de l’interet que vous a inspire le vieillard. 
Yotre bon coeur a fait pour moi des merveilles. Aussi croyez 
et pour toujours 

a la reconnoissance 

du Cte. de Waldeck. 

Mademoiselle M. R. Smith. 


THE COUNT HE WALDECK. 


93 


THE TRANSLATION. 

My dear good Friend, — 

You desired to have my portrait, and I give it to you with 
the greatest pleasure, though my scolding face will bring to 
your memory my brusque attacks on the follies of the world. 

I am so old that I have no longer anything human about 
me excepting my heart. Alas ! that remains young in spite 
of my 102 years, and speaks always to me of you and the in- 
terest with which the old man has inspired you. Your good 
heart has done wonders for me, therefore believe and for ever 
in the gratitude of the 

Count de "Waldeck. 

I came across a few days since a letter from the 
Countess de Waldeck, which was written to me 
when I was in Moscow, in 1874. She speaks inter- 
estingly of her husband, so that I am tempted to 
quote that which relates only to him. She says : 
“ My dear old gentleman, who, thank God ! is still 
alive, though very weak ; you will, I think, find 
him very much broken by all the sad effects of the 
fearful siege. We one and all suffered so much. 
He says it has shortened his life ten years. I can- 
not help smiling when I hear him say it. Yes, 
dearest, you are right in speaking of his industry 
and perseverance. I am greatly in hopes he will 
live long enough to see crowned with success the 
drawings he commenced, and the dear old gent is 
very deeply engaged in revising the text, which is a 
real casse-Ute. The 16th of this month he entered 
his 109th year. We gave a soiree. How much I 
wished you had been amongst us ! The party broke 
up at near three in the morning. He remained up 


94 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


till the last, and sang, as also Gaston (their son), who 
has a very fine voice.” . . . 

She ends the letter with this kind message from 
the centenaire : u M. de Waldeck joins me in very 
best love and prayers for your good health and hap- 
piness.” 

Madame de Waldeck writing to me of this soiree 
brings to my memory a charming reunion I gave 
some few years since in Paris, at my apartments in 
the Avenue de FImperatrice, called since the war the 
Avenue du Bois de Boulogne, when I had my rooms 
filled with “a goodlie companie,” and some dis- 
tinguished persons were there. Among these none 
was more remarkable than the Count and Countess 
de Waldeck and La Marquise de Boissy. It was at 
this little party I presented the centenaire to the 
latter. She was much interested in him and very 
gracious to them both. I remember well her kind- 
ness in offering to take them to their home in her 
carriage at midnight, which she did on that cold 
winter night, though it was certainly more than a 
mile out of her way, and kept her exposed to the 
night-air, and she no longer a young woman ; such 
was the amiability of her character and her unself- 
ishness ! 

I saw a letter in which Mr. O T , writing 

from France, speaks of him as follows: u Among 
the many interesting objects of Paris, nothing ap- 
peared more remarkable than the aged Count de 
Waldeck, in his hundred and second year.” Mr. 


THE COUNT DE WALDECK. 


95 


T then relates much that is worthy to be read 

concerning him, and reports many of the anecdotes of 
the Count, particularly with regard to Napoleon I. 

In this letter Mr. T speaks playfully of him as 

being something of a wag, and tells that he con- 
fessed, “ My only vice is snuff.” He told a signifi- 
cant story of Napoleon, when Emperor, that at an 
entertainment, a venerable pair, with their twelve 
sons, all decorated with the Legion of Honor, sat at 
a table apart from all others. Napoleon, after offer- 
ing some attentions, said to the old couple, “ I only 
regret your age, that you cannot give me twelve 

more sons like these.” Mr. T tells that Count 

de Waldeck is spoken of in Stephens’s work; in fact, 
were I to quote from various sources anecdotes and 
statements with regard to this remarkable man, my 
volume would be extended to an unwonted length. 
Two notices more I insert, and with them conclude 
this history. The first is taken from the “ London 
Illustrated News,” and its perusal will repay the 
reader : 

THE LATE COUNT WALDECK. 

It was mentioned that the famous centenarian, Count Jean 
Frederic Waldeck, died at Paris on the 29th ult. Descended 
from an old Prague family, he was born on March 16, 1766. 
In 1785 he went to the Cape with Levaillant, and made ex- 
plorations in Southern Africa. Eeturning to Paris in 1788, 
he studied painting under David and Prudhon, joined the 
Italian Expedition as a volunteer, in 1794, and was present at 
the siege of Toulon, afterwards following the army to Egypt 
as a civilian. Kesolving not to be included in the capitula- 


96 


TWO DISTINGUISHED PERSONS. 


tion, he started from Assouan with four companions, and 
crossed the Desert of Dongola. Fatigue and sickness carried 
off his four companions, but after four months’ privations 
and dangers he reached the Portuguese settlements. In 1819 
he was with Lord Cochrane in Chili. He afterwards made 
archaeological explorations in Guatemala, then settled in 
London, and in 1822 lithographed Captain del Rio’s sketches 
of the ruins of Palenque and Chiapa. Suspecting, however, 
the accuracy of these drawings, he went as engineer to the 
silver-mines of Italpuxahua, hut soon threw up the appoint- 
ment and visited South American ruins aud antiquities. He 
was at first encouraged by the government, and spent three 
years in studying the ruins, fauna, and flora of Palenque, but 
was deprived by Santa Anna of the greater part of his draw- 
ings and MSS. Returning to France, he sold the remainder 
of his Palenque drawings to the government, and their pub- 
lication was commenced in 1863, he himself lithographing 
them. In the Salon of 1869 he exhibited two archaeological 
pictures, entitling them Loisir du Centenaire. He recently 
celebrated his 109th birthday. 

The following notice of the Count de Waldeck, 
which appeared in one of the Paris journals at the 
time of his death, and a translation of which has 
been given on pages 85, 86, 1 deem worthy of inser- 
tion in the original : 

Au moment meme oil s’ouvrait l’Exposition du Palais de 
l’lndustrie, le doyen des peintres, M. le Comte Max. de Wal- 
deck, s’eteignait dans sa maison de la rue des Martyrs. II 
etait entre, le mois dernier, dans sa cent-dixieme annee ! — Ce 
n’est pas une mort, 9 ’a ete un assoupissement ; seulement, cette 
fois, le sommeil sera eternel. II a souri a sa femme, a son 
jeune fils, et a laisse son ame s’cnvoler vers Dieu. 

Chez ce rohuste vieillard, un des exemples les plus extraor- 
dinaires de longevity c’est moins le grand age qui etonnait 


THE COUNT BE WALDECK. 


97 


que la lucidite de l’esprit. II a travaille a la peinture jusqu’a 
ses derniers jours ; et sa conversation, surtout quand il racon- 
tait ses longues peregrinations, etait si aimable, si interessante ! 

II y a quelques annees a peine il avait envoye un de ses ta- 
bleaux au Salon. Ses amis disaient, en plaisantant, qu’il s’etait 
fait de sa palette une euirasse contre la faux de la mort. 

Cette fois, la grande faucheuse a trouve le defaut de la cui- 
rasse. 

Cet aimable centenaire avait des mots charmants, des mots 
de situation. 

— Yous travaillez done toujours a vos etudes archeologiques, 
lui demandait-on dernierement. 

— Que voulez-vous ? repondit-il ; l’antiquite me passionne . 
Similia similibus. Tenez, voici une Encyclopedie en trois vo- 
lumes, traitantde V Archeologie palenqueenne, quej’espere bien 
voir editee avant de mourir. C’est une oeuvre de jeunesse : 
j’avais a peine cent deux ans quand je l’ai commencee ! 


My task is done. I can only say Godspeed to 
the two narratives I have given, urged by justice 
and by truth to write. The life of patient and perse- 
vering artistic labor led by Count de Waldeck to so 
advanced an age is without a parallel, and should 
not be forgotten.- The testimony to Madame de 
Boissy is a tribute of affection and respect ; and that 
both may interest the reader and cause amiable criti- 
cism towards one who for the first time ventures be- 
fore the public as a writer, however humble, is the 
earnest wish of the author. 


































































































































































k 
















s 





















































